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Liverpool are reportedly very close to agreeing a deal with RB Leipzig for contract rebel striker Timo Werner.
The Germany international has made clear to the Bundesliga side that
he does not intend to extend his current deal.
Werner, who has notched 60 goals in 108 appearances for Leipzig since joining from Stuttgart in 2016, is due to become a free agent in 14 months' time.
Leipzig may therefore have to cash in to the highest bidder this summer, with
Bayern Munich and Liverpool considered to be
the leading candidates to sign the 23-year-old.
Transfer expert
Ian McGarry, speaking on the
Transfer Window Podcast, suggested that the Reds could be on the verge of signing their long-term target.
"When a player refuses to sign a new contract it's usually because he's got an agreement in place somewhere else," he said. "My information is Liverpool are very close to agreeing personal terms with Werner.
"Obviously they have been lacking a natural No. 9 out-and-out striker for some time.
Divock Origi hasn't made any impression,
Daniel Sturridge has obviously had his injury problems and has failed to make an impression when he's come on this season.
"Adding a proper No.9 to their already very potent attacking force is something
Jurgen Klopp has been very, very keen to do. Whether they win the title or not I think that's something they will press ahead and recruit anyway."
Leipzig are believed to be holding out for around £43m for Werner, with that money possibly
going towards signing English striker
Tammy Abraham from Chelsea.
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On the hand
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Per a report by
Sport Bild, Timo Werner’s potential move to
Bayern Munich is getting closer to reality. In addition, Bayern allegedly sees Werner as a player who can contribute on the wing, so he would not just have to bid his time in waiting for
Robert Lewandowski to slow down.
The report also states that Bayern wants to complete the move this summer, so that Werner would be a member of roster for the 2019/2020 season.
Timo Werner (23) and FC Bayern have already agreed on a change for some time according to SPORT BILD info - only the time was still open! The Bavarian bosses could now want to implement the transfer directly and not after Werner’s contract ends in 2020, even if it would then be free. Reason: With Werner they would close three rebuilding areas at once.
The Leipziger would not only be the alternative to Robert Lewandowski (30), but also a valuable option on both outer positions, where
Franck Ribery (36) and
Arjen Robben (35) would have to be replaced.
In addition, Leipzig is now resigned to the fact that it will lose Werner soon and is looking forward to making the deal happen. As Bayern and Werner have already agreed on wages, the only thing being debated is the final transfer fee. That agreement, however, is where the process has slowed down.
Leipzig would welcome a premature change to cash in. However, negotiations between the clubs have not yet taken place. Both sides are afraid: The first one to flinch pays at the end. At RB, those responsible should dream of a (fee) of 60 million euros. In Munich they shake their head over it. There they consider 25 million with a remaining term of one year to be realistic and see a demand of 40 million as the maximum basis for negotiations.
That seems to be a big gap in terms of a fee, but nothing that the clubs can’t work out in the coming weeks. Werner was also being pursued by
Liverpool, but it looks like any last gasp effort from Jurgen Klopp might not matter at this point.
Interestingly,
Sport Bild also teased that a signing of Werner could have an effect on what Bayern does with James Rodriguez. If Werner makes the move, could this officially mean the end for James? This tidbit appears in the print edition of
Sport Bild.
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