The Italian football giant AC Milan is reportedly on the verge of parting ways with Belgian striker Divock Origi, bringing an early conclusion to a tenure that, despite considerable financial investment, delivered surprisingly modest returns on the pitch.
The saga of Divock Origi at AC Milan is drawing to a close, with reports indicating that the club and the player are just a few legal formalities away from mutually terminating his contract. This development marks a significant, albeit perhaps anticipated, turning point for both parties, well ahead of his original contract`s 2026 expiry date.
A High-Stakes Arrival, A Quiet Departure
When Divock Origi arrived at the San Siro in 2022, expectations were considerable. Joining on a free transfer from Liverpool, where he had carved out a reputation as a “cult hero” for his crucial goals in big matches, he inked a four-year deal. This contract, valued at a reported €4 million net per season (translating to approximately €5.2 million gross), positioned him among the club`s highest earners. To put this into perspective, some analyses suggest that seasoned European stalwarts like Luka Modric or Adrien Rabiot, when considering net earnings, received less annually.
However, the anticipated impact largely failed to materialize. Over his time with the Rossoneri, Origi featured in 36 matches across all competitions, finding the back of the net only twice. Such a statistical output, particularly for a player of his financial standing, painted a clear picture of an investment that simply hadn`t yielded the desired dividends.
The Paradox of Performance and Pay
The narrative of Origi`s time at Milan became an unfortunate study in contrasts. A player with a Champions League winner`s medal and a Premier League title, known for his ability to perform on football`s grandest stages, struggled to replicate that form in Serie A. His limited goals and sporadic appearances underscored a growing disconnect between his salary and his on-field contribution. For a club like AC Milan, constantly balancing ambition with financial prudence, such a disparity is unsustainable.
This situation is not uncommon in modern football, where big names sometimes fail to adapt or recapture their peak form in new surroundings. The initial hope that Origi could provide a reliable attacking option and goal-scoring prowess quickly gave way to the practical realities of a high-earning player spending significant time either on the bench or sidelined.
A Decorated Career Beyond Milan
While his chapter at AC Milan may not be remembered fondly, it’s crucial to recall Origi`s broader career achievements. His time at Liverpool, for instance, was far more prolific, boasting 41 goals in 175 appearances and a cabinet full of major trophies:
- UEFA Champions League
- UEFA Super Cup
- FIFA Club World Cup
- Premier League
- FA Cup
- EFL Cup
Prior to that, he showcased his abilities at Lille (16 goals in 89 games) and Wolfsburg (7 goals in 36 matches), and also contributed to the Belgian national team with 3 goals in 32 caps. These statistics speak to a player of considerable talent, making his struggles at Milan all the more perplexing to some observers.
The Road Ahead for Both Parties
With the legal framework for his departure reportedly nearing completion, both Divock Origi and AC Milan can look forward to new beginnings. For Milan, offloading a high earner who wasn`t a central part of their plans frees up significant wage budget, allowing for strategic reinvestment in players better suited to their current tactical vision and financial structure. For Origi, it represents an opportunity to rediscover his form and find a club where his talents can be utilized more effectively, perhaps reigniting the spark that made him a crucial player in previous successful campaigns.
The parting of ways, while perhaps not ideal for either party in terms of initial expectations, ultimately serves as a pragmatic solution to an underperforming arrangement. It underscores the often-unpredictable nature of player transfers and the constant need for clubs to adapt their rosters to ensure both sporting success and financial stability.
