AC Milan reportedly have concerns that they will not be able to part ways with Divock Origi at the end of the season.
After his release from Liverpool, Milan made the move to hand the versatile attacker a four-year contract, the hope being that he would become a valuable squad member.
Origi would be used on a regular basis, albeit largely from the substitutes' bench with just 10 of his 36 appearances coming from the starting lineup.
Furthermore, Origi would contribute just two goals and one assist during his first year at San Siro, leading to his departure to Nottingham Forest.
The Premier League outfit signed the 28-year-old on a season-long loan deal with the option to buy for €4.5m at the end of 2023-24.
© Reuters
With Steve Cooper bolstering his squad with an experienced forward, it was expected that Origi would be provided with enough game time to suggest that a permanent transfer was a foregone conclusion.
Instead, the Belgium international has been provided with just 59 minutes across four substitute outings in the Premier League.
Origi is yet to feature for more than 19 minutes in a single match, while he is now sidelined with a hip injury that will keep him out of action until next month.
According to Calciomercato, Milan are becoming pessimistic regarding their expectations for a full-time transfer to be finalised in due course.
© Reuters
In order to bolster their FFP position, an eventual sale of a player signed as a free agent would be deemed hugely beneficial to Milan, who would also like to reduce their wage bill.
Origi is said to be on a contract worth €4m per year until 2026, a substantial outlay for someone who is not part of Stefano Pioli's plans.
Forest are already well stocked for players who can play in multiple positions in the final third with Morgan Gibbs-White, Anthony Elanga, Callum Hudson-Odoi, Taiwo Awoniyi and Chris Wood all ahead of Origi.
One positive for Milan is Forest currently being on a five-match winless streak in the Premier League, theoretically increasing the chances of Origi being handed more action if that run is extended into November.