In a recent interview, former Leeds United forward, Noel Whelan, urged Victor Orta to make a move for Divock Origi in the summer transfer window.

So far this season, Origi has found game time incredibly hard to come by under Jurgen Klopp, with the 25-year-old being awarded just six starts across all competitions by the German manager, resulting in the centre-forward returning just one goal and two assists over his total of 17 appearances in 2020/21.

As a result of his lack of minutes, it has been reported that several clubs, including the likes of Inter Milan and Borussia Dortmund, are considering making an offer of around €15 million (£12.9 million) for the £60,000-per-week Belgian international this summer.

And, speaking recently to Football Insider, Whelan urged Leeds to join the race for Origi, suggesting that the striker would be a perfect fit for Marcelo Bielsa's style of football, as well as a bargain deal for Orta.

He said: "Divock Origi for £12-15 million, would you turn your nose up at that? No, you wouldn't. He can play a number of roles: left side, right side, through the middle. You've got to look at these things seriously. It's not a lot of money. It's so cheap. You could maybe go out and get two strikers if he's available at that price.

"We need options, especially attacking ones. We know Bielsa likes players who can be versatile and we know Origi is that. He's a good age and we play a style of football that will suit him because it's similar to Liverpool's."

Transfer Tavern Take

While Origi has never been one of Liverpool's first-choice players since joining the Reds from LOSC Lille back in 2014, the centre-forward's record of 35 goals and 14 assists over his 157 appearances for the club does not scream of value for money in a striker.

However, Origi is indeed a versatile forward, with the capability to play across the front line, as Whelan suggests, so perhaps the 25-year-old could be seen as a handy, as well as cost-effective, addition to Bielsa's attacking arsenal in the summer transfer market.

In other news: Leeds United have been urged to sign this "highly sought-after" £31k-p/w star this summer - find out more here!