Newcastle United are reportedly in discussions with Chelsea over a loan move for Timo Werner, who is also a target for RB Leipzig.
According to Daily Mirror, Newcastle United are in talks with Chelsea over a loan deal for Timo Werner, which could include an option for a permanent transfer next summer. The Magpies are ramping up their efforts to sign at least a couple of attackers before the transfer window slams shut.
Recent reports have claimed that they had a £40 million bid rejected by Leicester City for James Maddison. Meanwhile, Newcastle are also preparing to activate the £17.5 million exit clause in the contract of Burnley forward Maxwel Cornet. But they are trying to figure out a payment structure that could see them pay the fee instalments in order to stretch their transfer budget.
On top of an attacking midfielder and a winger, the Magpies are in the market for a striker after missing out on Hugo Ekitike, who joined Paris Saint-Germain instead. And Chelsea forward Timo Werner seems to be high on Newcastle’s wishlist, with Eddie Howe keen on luring the Blues’ misfit to St. James’ Park this summer.
The 26-year-old moved to Stamford Bridge in the summer of 2020 from RB Leipzig, but the move to the Premier League has not worked out as planned for him. Once a highly-efficient striker in the Bundesliga, Werner has looked to be a shadow of his former self, with just 23 goals and 21 assists in 89 outings for Chelsea since his £47.5 million move.
Werner is under a long-term contract and still has three years remaining on his Chelsea deal. However, following the arrival of Raheem Sterling, there are doubts regarding his future at Stamford Bridge, with tensions brewing between the player and head coach Thomas Tuchel over his lack of minutes with the 2022 FIFA World Cup on the horizon.
There have been reports that the 26-year-old is keen to move back to RB Leipzig, with the player even ready to take a 50 per cent pay cut to facilitate the deal. However, according to Daily Mirror, it is Newcastle who lead the race to sign the German international, who is said to be desperate to prove himself in England and may see the option to stay in the Premier League favourably.
However, Werner’s wages could be a stumbling block for Newcastle, as he earns £272,000 per week at Chelsea – too much for the Magpies’ wage structure. So they will either need the versatile attacker to take a pay cut or get Chelsea to cover a significant portion of his wages.
Should the northeast outfit iron out a favourable deal for Werner, it would be a great piece of business from the Toon chiefs. While he has struggled to find the net on a consistent basis at Chelsea, it is easy to forget just how prolific he was in the Bundesliga, where he scored 98 goals and delivered 40 assists over 158 appearances for RB Leipzig.
Renowned for his acceleration and pace, Werner’s directness, impressive work rate, and energetic press would suit Howe’s transitional system at Newcastle. That said, Newcastle will first need to beat off competition from the likes of RB Leipzig and Juventus to sign the German talent from Chelsea.
