Liverpool signing target Timo Werner could end up with another Premier League giant following reports that Chelsea has reached out to representatives of the German striker. To increase the chance of securing a trade deal on the RB Leipzig star, the Blues have supposedly made direct contact with Leipzig executives.
Chelsea wanting to join the race to acquire Werner is understandable. The Frank Lampard side has been hunting for a striker since the last transfer window, and the 24-year-old fits the bill perfectly. He has appeared in 36 games so far in the season and already registered 27 goals.
The exemplary showing has caught the eye of Liverpool boss Jurgen Klopp but according to Talk Sport, the German boss's efforts of meeting the Leipzig frontman have been frustrated by the lockdown caused by the coronavirus pandemic.
So it seemed that Lampard saw an opportunity to sneak in and make Werner aware that he is wanted in the Premier League not only in Liverpool but also in London.
The mission to get Werner to jump to England will cost both the Reds and the Blues, and it will not be easy. Reports said the attacker's contract with his Bundesliga club would not end until 2023 and that Leipzig seemed confident Werner is staying put.
However, interested teams can trigger the deal's release clause that will demand a fee of £52 million, which both Chelsea and Liverpool appear ready to pay.
Metro said Werner was supposed to switch last summer and Bayern Munich had only to pay half the price of the fee. In the end, the transfer did not materialize as the German giants opted to sign Philippe Coutinho instead on a loan deal.
The decision to pass up on the Germany international was explained subsequently by Bayern president Hasan Salihamidzic. According to him, Werner grew to play on a style designed by Leipzig, which would not work in Munich.
"Timo Werner is a good player who played an excellent first half of the season," Salihamidzic was reported as saying.
The Bayern chief added: "With his speed, Timo Werner needs more room, which he had in the system that Leipzig played. The system at RB has now changed, but it is still not as tight at the front as it is with us."
In Leipzig, it is believed that the speculations of Werner of making the jump to England will be for nothing. Leipzig CEO Oliver Mintzlaff said he there is no sign that the striker is restless and could be plotting an exit.
"I'm deeply relaxed about Werner ... He hasn't signaled yet that he wants to leave at the end of the season," said the executive.
