Spanish giants Atletico Madrid are reported to be seriously considering Liverpool forward Divock Origi, especially if their well-known pursuit of their former player Diego Costa is unsuccessful.
Atletico have been in the market for a forward for a considerable amount of time now. Jackson Martinez could never fill in the goalscoring boots at the Calderon, and even though Antoine Griezmann has been banging in the goals for the Madrid side, a forward is still a priority.
Aurelio De Laurentiis, the Napoli owner, revealed only today that Atletico had put in a €60 million bid for Gonzalo Higuain some time back, and were even willing to offer a couple of players in exchange but Napoli had immediately shot the offer down.
Mauro Icardi (Inter Milan) and Carlos Bacca (AC Milan) are also players that the 2015-16 Champions League finalists have been reportedly considering, but for the time being it seems their focus has shifted to Origi.
Also read: Former Liverpool star Daniel Agger reveals reason behind retirement, tears into Roy Hodgson
Diego Costa has always been their first priority, but neither Chelsea nor their new manager Antonio Conte seem willing to let the 27-year-old leave.
While Liverpool have a variety of attacking talent at their club and could be tempted by a considerable offer for the Belgian talent, Jurgen Klopp would be less willing to part with the 21-year-old and has been an admirer of his talent since he took over the Anfield club. Klopp gave him plenty of playing time under his reign and Origi ended the season with 10 goals in all competitions, a very respectable total for his first season in England.
Origi has already won 21 caps for the national team, and considering the pool of talent at the Belgium national’s team disposal, it shows how highly revered of a player he is.
Diego Simeone, Atletico’s inspirational manager is believed to be personally keen on acquiring Origi, should his continued attempts for Diego Costa fall through, and it remains to be seen whether the lure of the Calderon and Champions League football could tempt the Belgian into asking for a transfer.
Considering Liverpool paid a £10 million fee to Lille for his rights in 2014, Liverpool could well expect a bid more than double that amount to even consider letting him leave.
Also read: Scout Report: Ben Woodburn - Liverpool's next big star?
Meanwhile, with the recent signings of Nicolas Gaitan from Benfica and Sime Vrsaljko from Sassuolo for a combined fee of around € 41 million euros, Atletico’s market is well and truly running.
