Leeds United have been tipped to launch a move to try and sign Belgian international Divock Origi from Liverpool by ex-Sunderland striker Kevin Phillips.
Speaking to Football Insider, former Premier League Golden Boot winner Kevin Phillips has backed Leeds United to sign Divock Origi from Premier League rivals Liverpool in the ongoing transfer window.
Origi has been with Liverpool since 2015 but has never been a regular starter at Anfield and has had multiple loan spells away from the club. The Belgian international has made some vital contributions in the Reds’ success under Jurgen Klopp, though, for which he has attained cult hero status among the fans.
However, Origi was hardly used by Liverpool in the 2020/21 campaign and The Athletic reported earlier this month that the Reds are looking to offload the centre-forward should an offer of around £15-20 million come along.
Now, Phillips has backed Leeds United to pounce on the opportunity to try and secure the signing of Origi, as it would allow them to rest and rotate key centre-forward Patrick Bamford more effectively.
“Yeah, I think so. We saw with Bamford last season, at the end he looked tired. He wasn’t the same player he was earlier in the season. That comes from playing too much football. They might look for a player who could play wide and through the middle. Maybe someone like Divock Origi.
“Maybe Leeds could nick in and get him from Liverpool. At that price? Certainly. With the time left in the window, I think we will see Leeds move for him, or a player like that,” the former Sunderland striker said.
Leeds United have had an eventful transfer window thus far, having signed Jack Harrison on a permanent basis from Manchester City, which has been followed by the signings of Junior Firpo and Lewis Bate, while another youngster in Amari Miller has also arrived. The Whites are still looking for reinforcements in the market, and a new centre-forward wouldn’t be the worst possible idea.
Origi is a player who has experience and exposure at the highest level. At 26, the Belgian has his best years in front of him and could be a good investment for Leeds while Liverpool will also stand to make a good sum from selling a player who does not seem to be in the plans of the manager.
