Borussia Dortmund consider Divock Origi as solution to striker problem
The Westphalian side are currently heading into the season without an experienced striker, so the search for a player to lead the line is starting to heat up as the deadline looms closer.
Michy Batshuayi helped filled the void caused by the departure of Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang when he joined the club from Chelsea in January. However, that was on loan and Borussia Dortmund opted to not make it permanent, so he currently finds himself on loan at Valencia.
Der BVB haven’t been able to bring in a replacement since he left. They have strengthened other areas of the squad, but have failed in this area with Alexander Isak the only natural option for the striker role. He is only 18-years-old, so it would be putting a lot of pressure on him to perform if he was used as the main option. Marco Reus and Maximilian Philipp can be used in that role, but it isn’t an ideal position for either.
According to ESPN, Liverpool and Dortmund are negotiating a deal for Divock Origi. The Belgian international was on loan at Wolfsburg last season where he struggled to impress in a poor side. He only managed six goals and two assists in 1966 league minutes, but he excelled for Liverpool from 2015/16-2016/17 with 12 goals and four assists in 2029 league minutes mainly as a substitute.
More from Bundesliga
- Modern football’s disruptors: The remarkable rise of Union Berlin
- Bayern Munich emerge victorious following dramatic title race
- Following December knee injury, Manuel Neuer back to light training
- Assessing Bayern Munich’s recent uncharacteristic struggles
- Bayern Munich explain Julian Nagelsmann sacking
At 23-years-old he still has a lot of potential because he has been in playing in top European leagues for the past five seasons, so he has plenty of experience for his age. He fits the typical profile of players that Dortmund aim to bring in because he has room for development and could be sold on for a higher price.
Lucian Favre has an exciting, young attack at his disposal, which Origi should be comfortable fitting into because he could interchange with the wide players due to being an excellent dribbler, although his link-up play needs to improve if they are going to be successful in breaking down defensive shapes with specific passages of play.
The attacking talent at the club means it’s likely that he would have a lot more chances than his time at Wolfsburg, with Belgian teammate Batshuayi being an example of this because he thrived as a mobile focal point of the team after a challenging spell at Chelsea. He would, at the very least, take the pressure off Isak and give Favre the option of rotating between them depending on who is in form. However, having him as a main striker would represent something of a gamble.
Next. Will Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang get off the mark against West Ham?. dark
The main issue for this transfer is whether the two sides can come to an agreement on the fee or a loan deal. He isn’t wanted by Liverpool based on how little he has been used so far this season, so they are probably going to come to a compromise because he’s likely to be an unused substitute or reserve, otherwise.