RB Leipzig star striker Timo Werner is on the verge of joining Chelsea, as per latest reports, after the Blues agreed to meet the player’s mooted €60 million release clause.
Liverpool were linked with the German international since eternity, but the Reds inability to negotiate a deal with Leipzig means Chelsea are now in the driving seat for his signature.
Werner, who has scored 31 goals in 41 matches across all competitions for Die Roten Bullen this season, has also been capped 29 times by Germany.
In the current atmosphere, getting a player of his quality at such a cut-price deal is truly amazing business from Chelsea. But what about Leipzig? How do they move ahead once their marquee forward decides to jump ship to one of the European elites?
With that in mind, we decided to draw up a list of top three possible replacements for Timo Werner at RB Leipzig:
#3 Mohammed Daramy – The wildcard
FC Copenhagen’s teenage sensation Mohammed Daramy may just be 18 years old, but he’s already a man in demand. The Danish forward became his club’s youngest ever goalscorer when he found the back of the net in a cup game against Viby earlier in late 2019.
Big clubs such as Liverpool and Borussia Dortmund are reportedly keeping tabs on the youngster.
Daramy has played a total of 34 matches this season, wherein his tally of eight goals and six assists has put him on the radar of various big clubs.
If Leipzig decide to splash the cash on him, they would be getting their hands on a raw talent who has the ability to play anywhere across the front line.
With that said, Daramy is still just in his second season as a professional footballer and, therefore, expecting him to replace Timo Werner’s goals could be too much to ask for at the moment.
#2 Adam Hlozek – The intriguing idea
Another player who is reportedly on the list of possible replacements for Timo Werner is Sparta Prague’s Adam Hlozek. The Czech Republic native began his career with Sparta’s youth team before rising to the first-team setup.
Since 2018, he’s earned 52 caps at club level, having scored 10 goals in total, out of which six have come this season. Similar to Mohammed Daramy, Hlozek can also play as a centre-forward, or out wide on the wings.
The 17-year-old has been a revelation with many dubbing him as the next big thing from the Czech Republic.
Again, he’s a prodigious talent and not an established player unlike Timo Werner, so making the jump to Bundesliga could be too much of a big step. But as Leipzig’s astute scouting network have spotted him, it might be worth taking a risk on the youngster.
#1 Milot Rashica – The ideal candidate
The man who is most likely to end up at RB Leipzig this summer is Werder Bremen’s breakout star Milot Rashica. As per various reports, the Kosovo forward has impressed those at the Red Bull Arena and hence, he could be the man to replace Timo Werner.
Rashica has past experience of playing in the Bundesliga, and with his age of 23, he fits the bill perfectly.
In 2019-20, the youngster has racked up 29 appearances for his club across all competitions, contributing with 10 goals and six assists so far.
On top of that, Bremen are headed down the barrel, their first relegation in more than 40 years, which means Leipzig could lure Rashica without much of a hassle.
It has been reported that the striker has a release clause of €38 million but according to another clause in his contract, Rashica’s can leave for just €15 million if Bremen get relegated to the 2. Bundesliga, which seems the most likely outcome this season.
Leipzig wouldn’t get a better deal than this as it would be an absolute bargain!
All stats courtesy: Transfermarkt.co.in