Chelsea are reportedly on the verge of signing Timo Werner, also a target for Liverpool, in a £53 million deal this summer.
According to a report by The Guardian, Liverpool are set to face defeat in pursuit of Timo Werner. Chelsea are expected to secure the services of the German international in a £53 million deal in the summer transfer window, with the RB Leipzig star agreeing a five-year £200,000-a-week deal.
It is no secret that Werner is a hot property in the transfer market. His numbers for the current campaign are simply stunning, with the 24-year-old boasting a tally of 31 goals and 12 assists in 40 appearances across all competitions.
His impact under the tutelage of Julian Nagelsmann has made Werner a target for some of the biggest clubs in the world, with Premier League duo Chelsea and Liverpool largely vying for his signature.
Chelsea have been in the market for a striker, and for good reason. While Tammy Abraham has been a shining light for the Blues this term, Michy Batshuayi has not been reliable enough and Olivier Giroud is only an emergency option for Frank Lampard. As a result, Chelsea have been eyeing a move for Werner, with other options considered as well.
In fact, Chelsea established contact with RB Leipzig to get a deal for Werner over the line. In recent weeks, though, the possibility of a move seemed to have reduced somewhat after the emergence of Liverpool in pursuit of the Leipzig striker.
The Reds have seen Jurgen Klopp create one of the most formidable attacking units in Europe, with Mohamed Salah, Sadio Mane and Roberto Firmino running rampant. However, beyond the trio, there are very few prolific options for the Liverpool boss to consider, giving him little room for tactical flexibility. As a result, they had identified Werner as a target.
Timo Werner is ready to sign his contract as new Chelsea player until June 2025 on next days – paperworks time. Liverpool have not sent any official bid to hijack the move.
Chelsea will pay €55M to RB Leipzig. Timo has already spoken directly with Frank Lampard. ? #CFC
— Fabrizio Romano (@FabrizioRomano) June 4, 2020
That the 24-year-old can play on the left wing equally as adeptly as he does through the middle potentially made him an even more appealing target for Liverpool, as well as Chelsea, who can use both Abraham and Werner owing to the latter’s versatility. But, it now looks like the Blues are set to beat their Premier League rivals to his signature.
The reliable Matt Law has claimed that Werner has agreed to join Chelsea and will sign a five-year, £200,000-a-week deal with the Blues. His report on the Telegraph goes on to add that Liverpool backed out of a deal for the player as they were unwilling to meet his £53 million release clause, an effect of the financial hit from the coronavirus pandemic.
Further information from Fabrizio Romano suggests that Werner spoke directly with Lampard and that Liverpool have not sent any bid for Leipzig to consider. A £53 million deal now appears to be a formality, in what is a coup by Chelsea director Marina Granovskaia, with Werner now set to become the Blues’ second summer signing after Hakim Ziyech.
