Reports: Liverpool must loan Belgium striker Divock Origi back to Lille if they sign him

Belgium's forward Divock Origi (L) vies with US defender DaMarcus Beasley during a Round of 16 football match between Belgium and USA at Fonte Nova Arena in Salvador during the 2014 FIFA World Cup

Lille have told Divock Origi’s suitors that they must loan the 19-year-old back to the Ligue 1 club if they wish to secure his signature, according to the Express.

While Arsenal and Tottenham have been linked to the young striker in recent weeks, Liverpool are widely reported to be the front-runners, with the Daily Star claiming last month that an £11 million deal to take Origi to Liverpool was on the verge of completion.

The Ostend native rose to prominence in Belgium’s last-16 knockout game against USA, where he usurped Chelsea striker Romelu Lukaku in the starting line-up by virtue of his impressive cameos earlier in the tournament.

The Reds are pushing hard to snap up the Genk youth product, and while Lille concede that it’ll be hard to turn down the sums offered, they’re attempting to soften the blow by stipulating that Origi plays the 2014/15 season in Ligue 1.

This development is music to the ears of businessman Marc Couke, who owns Lille’s primary sponsor, Etixx.

Asked whether Origi would return to the Stade Pierre-Mauroy, Couke was almost 100% certain.

“That is 99 per cent certain, yes.

“I’m not sure whether Lille will still be the owner of Origi next season – there are large amounts offered.

“But in all the discussions it is the intention that he will be sold and still play a year in Lille.

“That would also magnificent for the Belgian fans who go to watch Lille.”