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Former Liverpool striker Divock Origi continues to find himself in limbo at AC Milan following his rejection of the club's proposal for an early contract termination.
Origi made the switch to the Serie A team in 2022 but has endured a torrid time in Italy from an individual perspective, featuring for the side in merely one campaign across the past three years.
The 30-year-old managed just two goals during the 2022-23 season before being shipped out on loan to Nottingham Forest for 2023-24, where he netted only once in 22 outings, and that goal came in the FA Cup rather than the Premier League. He's not played a first-team game in 17 months.
Origi was completely frozen out during the 2024-25 campaign and remains on Milan's payroll with 12 months left to run on his deal.
According to Tuttosport, Liverpool's 2019 Champions League hero was called to the club's headquarters for discussions regarding his contract situation.
He was reportedly questioned about whether he would entertain an early termination of his agreement, which is due to expire on June 30, 2026, and was even presented with "favorable" conditions to facilitate such a move.
However, talks are understood to have reached an impasse after Origi demonstrated "resistance" to accepting his severance package that would have enabled him to sever ties with the Italian club.
Origi, now aged 30, made 175 appearances for Liverpool and found the net on 41 occasions - notably netting the decisive strike in the team's 2-0 triumph against Tottenham in the 2019 Champions League final. That goal, as well as his years of service, made him a cult hero on Merseyside.
However, his chances in the first team became increasingly limited during his final two campaigns at Anfield before departing on a free transfer, with Milan subsequently handing him a four-year deal in 2022.
Following a disappointing debut campaign at the San Siro, where he faced harsh criticism from Italy's press and ridicule from supporters, he spent the entire previous season featuring exclusively for the U23 squad.
Calcio Mercato reported that he had turned down several loan opportunities earlier last season, after his poor temporary spell at Forest. The publication added that his continued presence at the club remains a "mystery."
"Honestly, I feel honored," said Origi upon leaving Liverpool. "It was an honor to be able to play here at Anfield, with the team, staff, fans. It’s been an honor. You have to experience Liverpool. They told me it was a special club, and I’ve been able to see it so much.
"There are so many moments, even behind the scenes at Melwood, so many teammates, moments, fans, finals, cups, challenges when it was tough, us fighting back. It’s something you will take with you for life. I’ll be able to share these moments with my kids after. It’s been a joy.
"I lived in the city as well for a couple of years, in the middle of the city, so I know what it means after a derby day when you score, the people, all the taxi drivers.
"It’s really part of who I am. That’s why it’s so special. I’m just so happy that I’ve been able to play my part for this beautiful club."
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