Chelsea have reportedly made direct contact with RB Leipzig to explore the possibility of signing Timo Werner, who is a target for Liverpool as well.
According to a report from German publication Kicker (h/t talkSPORT), Chelsea have joined Liverpool in the race for RB Leipzig and Germany striker Timo Werner in the summer transfer window.
Werner has grown into one of the most coveted strikers across Europe, owing to his scintillating form for Leipzig. The 24-year-old has plundered 27 goals and set up 12 more in 32 matches across all competitions in the 2019-20 campaign.
Speculations surrounding his future have been making the news for a while now, with Liverpool being linked. Rumours of a potential transfer to Anfield only intensified following the German international’s recent comments when he claimed that the Reds were a great team.
In Mo Salah, Sadio Mane and Roberto Firmino, Liverpool have one of the best attacking units in Europe. However, there is little quality depth beyond the trio, which is an area Jurgen Klopp would want to address, more so considering Firmino’s indifferent form this season, leading to the interest in Werner.
However, the Premier League leaders will now have to battle with rivals Chelsea for the signing of the 24-year-old. The Blues are also in the market for attacking reinforcements as manager Frank Lampard looks to bridge the gap between his side and the top two teams.
Tammy Abraham was enjoying a fine season, but his form tapered off since the turn of the year, leaving Chelsea lacking in quality strikers. Olivier Giroud, for his part, made the most of the few opportunities that came his way, but he is out of contract at the end of the season, while Michy Batshuayi remains out of favour.
This makes Werner a viable target for the West Londoners. And in order to steal a march on their competitors, Chelsea have already made ‘direct contact’ with Leipzig to explore the possibility of a summer transfer, according to the report.
Werner is contracted with the Bundesliga outfit till 2023, with CEO Oliver Mintzlaff recently claiming that he was “deeply relaxed” over the situation of the star striker. Along with Chelsea and Liverpool, Barcelona too have been credited with a degree of interest in the German international, setting up a potential bidding war in the summer.
Werner, given his quality and prolific nature, would be an asset to any team that he joins. It now remains to be seen who between Chelsea and Liverpool comes out on top in the race for the 24-year-old, or if both Premier League giants end up getting beaten by a third party.
