AC Milan Want Liverpool 'Legend' As Zlatan Ibrahimovic's Replacement Ahead Of January Window: Reports

Liverpool forward Divock Origi is reportedly being chased by AC Milan ahead of the January transfer window.

AC Milan are looking for an ideal replacement for Zlatan Ibrahimovic, who is nearing the end of his career, and the Serie A club has short-listed Origi as one of the options, reported Italian media outlet Tutto Mercatao.

Origi's salary demands of $4.5 million per season could be a problem for AC Milan, who are not in the best of financial situations right now, according to soccer website The Hard Tackle.

Even though Origi is not Jurgen Klopp's first-choice at Liverpool, the Belgian forward has had his moments with the Anfield side.

A tally of 40 goals in 116 competitive appearances may make Origi's CV unimpressive at Liverpool but the 26-year-old forward has netted some of the most important goals for the Reds in the past, including the fourth goal against Barcelona in the 4-3 win in 2018-19 Champions League semi-final, as well as the second goal of the 2-0 win over Tottenham in the final.

Origi was once again in the limelight for scoring an injury-time winner against Wolves earlier this month, handing Klopp's side three crucial points. The result saw Liverpool climb to second place in the 2021-22 Premier League table.

"Divock Origi, the legend, came and finished it off for us. I love it," Klopp had said after his side's win at Molineux Stadium.

Origi once again netted a winner for Reds in the subsequent match, which was a Champions League group fixture against AC Milan. Even though the game was a dead rubber for Liverpool, Origi's recent form has come in as good news for the Reds as the side is alive in all the competitions so far.

In the ongoing season, Origi has scored five goals and provided two assists in 10 competitive appearances.

After leading Liverpool to an incredible win against Wolves, Klopp had heaped praise on Origi, saying if he "would be in another club, I would go for him," before adding he wouldn't have been surprised had Origi left Liverpool last summer.

"If I would be in another club I would go for him and I thought that would happen, that's true because he didn't have massive game time. But, again, I cannot believe that people think if you don't play for Liverpool you cannot be good. This team is outstanding and if you are our No.12, 13 or 14 you have to be outstanding – and Div is. I am very happy that he is still here, actually. I didn't expect it to happen, but I wouldn't have been surprised," said Klopp in the post-match conference.

Origi has less than six months left on his current contract with Liverpool. It is still unclear if the Reds would be OK to lose Origi for free in the summer of 2022 or they would convince the player to sign a pre-season contract in January just to cash in on him.

Moreover, Liverpool are set to lose Mohamed Salah and Sadio Mane to the African Cup of Nations (AFCON) in January. In their absence, the likes of Origi, Takumi Minamino and Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain will be expected to step up and shoulder more responsibility, which would be a great opportunity for the trio to earn more game time.