2016 UEFA Champions League runners-up Atlético Madrid have turned their attention to Liverpool striker Divock Origi after failing to sign Chelsea’s Diego Costa, according to Sky Sports.
The Spanish La Liga side have tried hard to bring Costa back to Madrid this summer after selling the striker to Chelsea two years ago. Their aggressive pursuit has even led to the Blues threatening to report Atléti to FIFA if they continue.
New Chelsea boss Antonio Conte has asked for ‘respect’ from the Spanish side as Chelsea are writing to them for a second time to cool their interest in Costa, according to the Independent.
With seemingly no chance of bringing Diego Costa back to the Vicente Calderón Stadium this summer, Diego Simeone’s side are now turning their attention to Liverpool’s 21-year-old Divock Origi.
Liverpool signed Origi after the 2014 World Cup from LOSC Lille where he was immediately loaned back for the 2014-15 Ligue 1 season where he scored eight goals in 33 appearances.
Origi was given very little chance under Brendan Rodgers at Liverpool, but towards the end of last season when injuries were piling up for Jürgen Klopp’s side the Belgian got a string of games where he showed good promise at times. He ended the season with five Premier League goals in 16 appearances.
The 21-time Belgian international is very quick but is yet to show a killer touch in front of goal. He has three goals for the national team and scored only 14 in 73 Ligue 1 games in all for Lille. At Liverpool, Klopp has also played him out wide where his pace can be a real threat at getting beyond the full-back. His positional sense certainly needs working on.
Diego Simeone has worked wonders with limited budget in comparison to rivals Real Madrid and Barcelona, as well as developing a number of youngsters in recent years. It will be interesting to see if the Argentine has an opportunity to develop Divock Origi’s skills this season…
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