Chelsea are ready to pay Timo Werner’s £55 million (€60m/ $68m) release clause after tabling a contract offer for the RB Leipzig striker which expires on June 15.
The clause is between €55-60m (£50-54m) depending on whether Leipzig qualify for the Champions League this season. However, Chelsea are willing to pay regardless and Liverpool have admitted defeat in their pursuit of the German international.
He is one of the most-coveted young attacker across Europe and available for a fee that seems a bargain in comparison to Jadon Sancho or Kai Havertz, the two other Bundesliga players linked with a move to different clubs of Premier League.
Player in high demand
The 24-year old, Timo Werner has been in electrifying form for Leipzig in the Bundesliga this season, scoring 25 goals in 29 appearances to help the club rise to third in the table.
His outstanding performances have caught the eye of a number of Europe’s top clubs, including Liverpool, Barcelona and Bayern Munich.
The Germany international had also hinted that Liverpool would be his first choice destination, expressing his belief that he would be a “good fit” for Jurgen Klopp’s system during an interview with Welt back in February.
However, ex-Chelsea midfielder, Craig Burley, has been among those to warn Werner against a switch to Anfield, insisting that the Leipzig frontman might not be guaranteed a spot in the Reds starting XI.
Advancing talks for Werner come after he instructed clubs of his disinterest in moving in January with the Blues having targeted a forward during the winter window.
Indeed, in January, Werner’s clause was only around £36m (€40m/$45m) but he wanted to see the season out with RB Leipzig and attempt to win the Bundesliga title.
Timo Werner our number one target: Lampard
Frank Lampard admits that he wanted to make a”few additions” to his squad after missing out on a number of targets in January.
The 24-year old has been their number one forward target, and he is happy to play for Frank Lampard’s side. His priority has always been to sign for a Champions League club where he can play regularly.
Tammy Abraham has served as Chelsea’s first-choice striker throughout the 2019-20 season, and Olivier Giroud committed to fresh terms with the club in May, but Michy Batshuayi looks set to leave Stamford Bridge later this year.
Timo Werner will also be joining Hakim Ziyech, who is joining from Ajax for £33m on July 1, as new additions at Stamford Bridge this summer following their transfer ban being lifted by FIFA in December last year.
Chelsea were unable to sign players last year and opted not to bring in any acquisitions in January, instead focusing on their main targets this summer.
A complete package
The majority of Werner’s goals have come from the central striking position this season, but he is tactically flexible. RB Leipzig have used nine different formations in the Bundesliga this season and he is also comfortable playing in wide positions.
Another factor in Werner’s favour is his age. The forward has already amassed closed to 300 senior appearances since making his professional debut for Stuttgart in 2013, but he only turned 24 this March.
The current season has been his best yet, with 31 goals scored in 40 games so far, taking his overall total for RB Leipzig to 92 in 154 appearances. For the German national side, he boasts a total of 11 goals in 29 games.
His tally for this season includes four goals in the Champions League, one of which came during Leipzig’s 1-0 win at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium in February.