Chelsea has sought to clarify the reported release clause on the Red Bull Leipzig contract of attacker Timo Werner as the English club commences on the effort to beef up its scoring squad in time for the winter transfer window. The Blues are looking to confirm the figures that would open the door for the Germany international to make the jump.
As Chelsea starts on its campaign to bring in new wingers and forwards to Stamford Bridge, the team is ascertaining how much it would take to snatch Werner away from Bundesliga. Metro said German has been shortlisted by club boss Frank Lampard, alongside Lyon striker Moussa Dembele, Borussia Dortmund winger Jadon Sancho, Crystal Palace attacker Wilfried Zaha, Bayer Leverkusen's Leon Bailey, and Villarreal's Samuel Chukwueze.
If indeed the rising Bundesliga star is available for a transfer, Chelsea will need to pay up to £51.2 million but there were suggestions the German's contract with Leipzig only demands a fee of £25.6 million. It seemed Lampard wants to make sure the amount needed to convince Werner to make the move.
There is no guarantee, however, that Chelsea will win Werner over, let alone that easy. Leipzig is seen ready to keep the striker where he is at the moment and it's quite understandable.
Werner has so far appeared in 17 German league games and netted 18 goals with six assists to boot. Leipzig is currently the Bundesliga leader and is in a position to advance further in the Champions League.
In short, except for financial gains Leipzig has no upside to release a star player such as Werner and on the striker's part, it appears to be in his favor to remain and further shine in Bundesliga.
"Leipzig have made it clear they have no intention of selling their star attacker," according to Bleacher Report.
Most likely, the sentiment is shared by Werner who in the German league is in a good position to smash long-standing records. Currently, the striker is No. 2 in scoring in Bundesliga just behind the perennial leader, Robert Lewandowski of the Bayern Munich.
At a time that Germany is preparing for the Euro 2020, Werner will want to secure a spot on the squad and may opt-out of a transfer move that will surely require significant adjustments.
Chelsea though is expected to press on the plan to make Werner wear blue soon. The striker is seen to add depth to the Blues lineup as well as versatility that would increase the club's chances of winning titles in the seasons to come.
