Chelsea and Liverpool were the two Premier League sides being constantly linked with Leipzig striker Timo Werner. But the Anfield outfit were always the favourites to land him.
Jurgen Klopp is eager to bring him on board while the centre-forward is also eager to work with the German manager meaning this was supposed to be a match made in heaven.
And just a couple of days ago, it was almost certain that Liverpool were going to close this deal ahead of everyone after the Leipzig boss Julian Nagelsmann admitted that Werner could be on his way out, shortly after the Reds made contact with Leipzig.
“There is nothing we can do about it. He knows what he has in Leipzig and also what he has with me,” said Nagelsmann, as per the Independent.
“He gets many chances to develop himself. I don’t know if it will help him that much if I tell him every day.
“A player has to feel that he can get better. If he doesn’t feel that, it wouldn’t do any good if I kept on telling him to stay here. In the end, it is his life, his career, he can decide that. I can’t think of anything new to say to Timo.”
Now out of nowhere, the Telegraph are claiming that it’s Chelsea who has performed a coup and have managed to agree on a deal to sign Timo Werner.
Matt Law writes: “Timo Werner has agreed to join Chelsea, who are on the verge of tying up a deal to sign the forward from Red Bull Leipzig.
“As exclusively revealed by Telegraph Sport on Tuesday, Chelsea have moved to sign Werner after Liverpool did not meet his release clause which is reported to be worth around £53 million.
“Werner has now agreed to join Chelsea on a contract worth almost £200,000-a-week and the club are now expected to agree a deal with Leipzig.”
Timo Werner has agreed to join Chelsea. More to follow #cfc
— Matt Law (@Matt_Law_DT) June 4, 2020
Werner has a release clause of just £52 million which was set to expire on the 15th of this month. And it looks like Chelsea have managed to fast-track this move and wrap up the transfer before Jurgen Klopp could even decide on launching a formal offer.
If this report is indeed true then it’s a massive blow for Klopp and his summer plans since Timo Werner was supposed to be the marquee signing for Liverpool this transfer window.
The official confirmation is yet to come but Matt Law is one of the most trusted journalists in England and if he’s reported smoke, then there’s got to be some kind of fire.
Update:
Now in yet another setback to Liverpool, Sky Sports are also reporting that Timo Werner has agreed on a deal in principle to join Chelsea FC.
Chelsea have now agreed a deal in principle to sign Timo Werner from RB Leipzig.
— Sky Sports News (@SkySportsNews) June 4, 2020
More to follow…
