Liverpool cult hero Divock Origi lined up for shock Premier League return
Divock Origi left Liverpool to join AC Milan last year, but could return to the Premier League with Sheffield United as the Blades look to fill the void left by Iliman Ndiaye
Former Liverpool striker Divock Origi could be set for a surprise Premier League return, with Sheffield United interested in the Belgian.
Origi is a cult hero at Anfield, having played a key role in their 2019 Champions League final victory by scoring twice in their dramatic comeback win over Barcelona in the semi-finals and netting the second as they beat Tottenham 2-0 in the final.
He also lifted the Premier League, FA Cup and League Cup during his time at Anfield, before making the move to AC Milan in 2022. However, he could now return to England just one year later. According to the Sun, Sheffield United are hoping to sign the Origi on loan as they attempt to bolster their attacking options. Last season's league top scorer Iliman Ndiaye has left Bramall Lane, rejoining boyhood club Marseille in a deal worth around £20m.
The Blades have been searching for options to replace Ndiaye, but Chuba Akpom has opted to join Ajax while the report states that a move for Aston Villa striker Cameron Archer is proving 'expensive and difficult'.
Manchester City youngsters Tommy Doyle and James McAtee could return after enjoying successful loan spells at Sheffield United last season, but neither player is a striker. As a result, Origi could be signed to fill the void after primarily featuring off the bench for Milan.
Speaking after his side's 2-1 defeat to Nottingham Forest on Friday, Blades boss Paul Heckingbottom admitted his side needs "extra firepower" and said he is hopeful they will make more signings before the transfer window slams shut. "At the top end of the pitch, we need the firepower," he said.
"Benie Traore. He'll be great but at the minute he and Will [Osula] are doing so much leg work and donkey work for the team, you imagine if they had been the subs and would have come on in the last 15 minutes? I would not have wanted to have been the centre half with that pace coming up against you, especially when the game is getting a little bit stretched.
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"All these things at the minute we have to deal with it but when we get the extra bodies in, the extra firepower we will be more of a threat." When asked if a new signing was close, Heckingbottom replied: "Could be like that [clicks his fingers], could be last hour of the window. Who knows?
"There's a commitment to get the players in and we will get the players in, it's just tough. We are not flush, we know that, and we have been willing to spend, we have shown that but it's tough recruitment.
"There comes a point where we have to do deals, we have to get them done. There's ones there we can get done and I'm pushing to get those done. It's difficult. We will get them, but I just wish we had them."
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