Watford are interested in Liverpool striking outcast Divock Origi but Jurgen Klopp wants £26m for the Belgian, according to the Daily Mirror.

What's the story, then?

The Mirror report that the Reds have slapped a £26m price-tag on the Belgian hitman as they look to offload him before the start of the season.

They say that Watford are interested in a deal for the striker, but only a loan, whereas Klopp is keen to ensure his permanent departure from Anfield.

The report also quotes the transfer fee the Hornets have just received from Liverpool's bitter rivals Everton as £40m, underlining that Javi Gracia does have money to spend in the current window.

Everton could help Liverpool make the sale

Everton splashing crazy money to reunite Richarlison with former manager Marco Silva clearly gives Watford ample funds with which to secure a replacement.

That bodes well for Liverpool in terms of their bumper demands for Origi. £26m is an eye-watering amount to demand for a player who is clearly surplus to requirements, but Klopp will know that his Merseyside rivals have given Watford a huge sum to play with.

Often, a player signed as a replacement is merely worth a proportion of the outgoing man's fee; normal market value goes out of the window and that should encourage Klopp that he can get the fee he wants and persuade Watford to make a transfer offer - not a loan one.

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