Liverpool have reportedly called off talks with Borussia Dortmund over a deal for Divock Origi, with the Bundesliga side only interested in a loan move.
Origi turned down a big-money switch to Wolves earlier in August, and his options are running thin as the European transfer window nears its conclusion.
The Reds had been in negotiations with Dortmund in an effort to secure a £27 million fee for the 23-year-old, with Lucien Favre desperate to bolster his attacking line.
But according to Goal‘s Neil Jones, Liverpool have backed away from their dialogue with Jurgen Klopp‘s former club due to their reluctance to sanction another temporary exit.
Origi spent last season on loan with VfL Wolfsburg, and struggled for consistency in the German top flight, no doubt damaging his market value.
And Jones claims that the Reds “will only consider permanent deal,” and more interestingly that “Klopp [is] happy to keep him as squad option until January” if he doesn’t depart.
After failing to impress in pre-season, and with the likes of Roberto Firmino, Daniel Sturridge and Dominic Solanke ahead of him in the pecking order, Origi’s prospects of a first-team role seem low.
But Liverpool may have no option, with the transfer window set to close for the majority of clubs on the continent on August 31.
Given their lofty valuation of the Belgian, it could be that the Reds have hamstrung themselves, with even Dortmund’s poor planning not enough to justify such an outlay.
He is not the only player with no clear route out of Anfield in the coming week, with Lazar Markovic no closer to a move.
Loris Karius is expected to complete a two-year loan switch to Besiktas this weekend, with the initial £2.25 million deal delayed due to Eid al-Adha.
Liverpool U23s right-back Connor Randall joined Rochdale on a six-month loan on Thursday, while Anderson Arroyo ended his spell with RCD Mallorca to move to KAA Gent.
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