Chelsea have been linked with RB Leipzig’s striker Timo Werner for months, with Liverpool also rumoured to be favourites for his signature.
However, recent reports suggest that Chelsea have moved ahead of Liverpool to sign the German star. The Blues only had a few days to trigger the £49 million release clause in Timo Werner’s contract at RB Leipzig that runs until the summer of 2023.
The German’s buyout clause expires on June 15, and Chelsea might be forced to pay an astronomical fee for the German if it goes beyond June 15. Sky Sports have now confirmed that Chelsea have agreed a deal in principle to sign Timo Werner from RB Leipzig.
It is believed that Chelsea have offered a £200,000-a-week contract to Werner, in a move to beat Liverpool to the signing of the highly-rated striker. A striker is top of Frank Lampard’s priority for the summer transfer window, and Werner has shown his class with 25 goals in 29 Bundesliga games this season.
The 24-year-old had publicly indicated his preference to move to join Liverpool, but the Reds weren’t keen to spend that amount of money in this economic situation, which prompted Chelsea to take advantage of the situation.
If the deal eventually gets sealed, Chelsea boss Frank Lampard would be getting his second top player in an important position, having acquired the signing of Hakim Ziyech for a £33m in February. It was thought Werner was on his way to Anfield, and Werner had held meetings with Reds manager Jurgen Klopp.
German football expert Jan Aage Fjortoft explained how the Blues were able to get ahead of Liverpool. Fjortoft tweeted: “Just been told that Liverpool have pulled out of the “Werner-deal”, because of “financial reasons”.
“Team Werner have then turned to Chelsea who have presented Werner a package of good money of course, but also his position at the team. Clubs still need to agree a fee though.”