AC Milan have grown tired of Divock Origi’s uninspiring time at San Siro and are actively working to find him a new home in Saudi Arabia.
Calciomercato reports that Saudi Pro League club Al-Ettifaq are at the head of the queue as former Liverpool captain Steven Gerrard seeks more high-profile reinforcements.
Moussa Dembele and Jordan Henderson have already joined the Dammam-based side this summer, with the latter leaving Anfield after 12 years to reunite with Gerrard.
However, Al-Ettifaq won’t relinquish their lofty ambitions yet, and Milan could offer them a chance to land another former Liverpool star on a cut-price deal.
Origi teamed up with the Rossoneri on a free transfer last summer after failing to extend his Reds contract, but his first season in Serie A was an utter disaster.
The 28-year-old forward struggled with injuries in the early stage of his career at the San Siro.
After a recovery midway through the season, he was reduced to playing second fiddle to veteran Olivier Giroud.
In 27 league appearances for Milan, the Belgian tallied two goals and an assist, making the Italians consider removing his contract from their payroll.
Origi has three more years left to run on his deal worth €3.5 million a season.
Taxes included, his agreement costs the Rossoneri €5.5m gross per year.
But since he is no longer part of Milan’s plans, the club chiefs are keen to offload him as they need to make room in an ever-growing wage bill.
Milan’s proactive recruitment campaign this summer has seen five new players join the Serie A giants.
Ruben Loftus-Cheek, Tijjani Reijnders, Luka Romero, Samuel Chukwueze and Christian Pulisic have touched down in Milan.
That’s not all, as Valencia’s Yunus Musah is on his way to reinforce a large contingent of newcomers.
Such an aggressive shopping spree requires Milan to make sacrifices, with Ante Rebic already paying the price.
The underperforming winger has moved to Besiktas to make space for the new arrivals, and Origi could be next.
