Timo Werner is on a slow train moving to Chelsea, but with the issues of Covid-19, it’s definitely a train that will need to exercise some patience.
Chelsea triggered his release clause earlier this month, and the Blues have agreed a five year contract with the striker in principle, believed to be worth £200,000 per week.
While a formal announcement is to be made soon, one of the things slowing down the process is that the striker is yet to complete a medical due to coronavirus safety measures affecting movement in both Germany and England.
According to ESPN sources, the media outlet was told that Timo Werner has informed RB Leipzig that he does not want to play in the club’s Champions League quarterfinal tie, provisionally scheduled for August, so he can speed up his move to Chelsea.
The Bundesliga is due to finish on June 27, and Werner would want his future sorted out immediately after.
Other leagues are due to finish in July, meaning the Champions League can only resume in August. UEFA are now planning to stage the rest of this season’s Champions League in a mini-tournament format spread over 11 days in Lisbon in August.
Remaining a Leipzig player would prevent Werner joining Chelsea until more than eight weeks after domestic football ends in Germany, given the Champions League final is planned for August 23. Werner is keen to join his new club as soon as possible and won’t want a delay to start the new season with his new team by staying longer with Leipzig, which has led to his decision to be opted out of the Champions League squad.
The 2020-21 Premier League season is projected for early September, but Werner might not want to be a Leipzig player for that long so he can kick off the new season with his new teammates.