Liverpool striker Divock Origi is reportedly in the four-man shortlist drawn up by Newcastle United, as manager Eddie Howe looks to replace his injured star, Callum Wilson.
The Magpies have confirmed the acquisition of full-back Kieran Trippier, who has become the first signing of the club’s new Saudi owners. With Trippier secured on a two-and-a-half-year deal from Atletico Madrid, Eddie Howe now wants to shift his focus towards reinforcing the attacking options for the crucial second half of the campaign.
According to The Telegraph, Liverpool’s Divock Origi tops the list of strikers Newcastle United are seeking at the moment following the injury to Callum Wilson. Eddie Howe fears Wilson could be out for the rest of the season after sustaining a freak injury in Newcastle’s 1-1 draw with Manchester United last month, thus, rendering a massive blow to the Toon Army’s survival hopes.
Origi, 26, has featured only off the bench as a substitute for Liverpool this season. He has made 10 appearances across all competitions so far and with him out of contract at the end of the 2021/22 campaign, the Belgian is free to negotiate a pre-contract agreement with a foreign club this month. However, the forward’s contract could automatically be extended by a year depending on the number of top-flight appearances he makes throughout this term.
Divock Origi to Newcastle United—Should the Magpies sign him?
Eddie Howe’s Newcastle side are reeling 19th in the standings, two points adrift of safety. One does get the feeling that significant changes to the Magpies squad during the January window could hold the key if Howe and co. are to beat the drop this season.
A tally of 19 goals in as many games is something that Newcastle United will definitely need to improve on in the coming months. It’s a no-brainer that the Toon Army need freshening up of options up top and they would need to bring in a cover for Callum Wilson, whose injury status remains unclear as of now.
To put things into perspective, Divock Origi has never been a regular starter in the last few years for Liverpool but he continues to be an exciting striker with solid experience and the Magpies shouldn’t hesitate to take a punt on him during the mid-season trading period.
Origi has never really managed to cement his place in Liverpool’s starting XI ahead of the likes of Mohamed Salah, Roberto Firmino and Sadio Mane, while the signing of Diogo Jota from Wolves in 2020 has not helped his cause either. So, the prospect of playing regularly at Newcastle could tempt him to join Howe’s forces.
Over the years, the Belgian has proven his worth at Liverpool in big games, and his versatility to play out wide on the left, as well as a secondary striker, means that he could be a valuable addition to the Magpies’ attack. Joelinton and Miguel Almiron haven’t really done an awful lot this season in the final third and Origi’s arrival would definitely increase competition for places at St. James’ Park while also adding some much-needed depth to the squad.
Newcastle should go all out in their pursuit of Origi this month as he has the qualities to make an instant impact in the club’s fight against relegation.
