Leeds must avoid another Jean-Kevin Augustin transfer howler with Liverpool’s Divock Origi | OneFootball

Leeds United must avoid making a move for Liverpool striker Divock Origi amid Kevin Phillips’ recent transfer claim.

What’s the story?

Reports in recent weeks have suggested that Jurgen Klopp’s side are ready to let the Belgian centre-forward go this summer after several years at Anfield, and Phillips has suggested that Leeds should be in the race to land him.

He said: “Yeah, I think so. We saw with Bamford last season, at the end he looked tired. He wasn’t the same player he was earlier in the season.

Would Origi be a good signing?

Yes!

Vote

No!

Vote

“That comes from playing too much football. They might look for a player who could play wide and through the middle. Maybe someone like Divock Origi. Maybe Leeds could nick in and get him from Liverpool. At that price? Certainly. With the time left in the window, I think we will see Leeds move for him, or a player like that.”

Bielsa would be fuming

While Origi has had some high-profile moments in his Liverpool career – not least his Champions League final goal against Spurs – he simply hasn’t been consistent anywhere near enough for Leeds to feel like they should take a punt on him.

At 26, the Belgian isn’t a young prospect anymore where mere flashes of potential can be accepted. The fact Klopp could only trust him with 181 minutes of Premier League football last season, and on many occasions not even put him in the match-day squad, is a real indication of just how far his stock has fallen.

Leeds have already been burnt by a striker signing based on what a player could potentially do, with the Whites still facing the after-effects of landing Jean-Kevin Augustin.

1 of 10

Can you beat this impossible Leeds quiz!?

Danny Pugh

Steve Stone

Shaun Derry

Dan Harding

The Frenchman endured a nightmare spell when he arrived in Yorkshire, playing just 48 minutes worth of football spanning across three appearances – the fact the Whites fought hard to avoid making his loan move permanent speaks volumes of just how disastrous of a signing that was.

The £60k-a-week earning Origi would just be another Augustin-like disaster at Elland Road were he to join this summer. Bielsa would surely be fuming with a move for the Belgian who’s scored just 35 goals in 157 games for Liverpool.

The Whites need a far more proven, and consistent option up front to compete with Bamford, and Origi simply isn’t that man.

Meanwhile, Phil Hay has dropped an update on this Leeds United target…