Chris Williams - RB Leipzig's Timo Werner is the striker destined to become Germany's main centre forward at international level, but where does his
Chris Williams –
RB Leipzig’s Timo Werner is the striker destined to become Germany’s main centre forward at international level, but where does his club future lie?
With a number of sides reportedly interested in securing his signature, just where could the 22-year-old end up in the next 12 months?
Arriving in the summer of 2016, Werner has embarked on a meteoric rise since he swapped the white of VfB Stuttgart for that of his current employer.
In a busy transfer window that heralded the arrival into the Bundesliga of the Red Bull backed club, Werner was one of four highly rated players that moved to the east German state of Saxony.
Joining the forward at die Roten Bullen were the Salzburg duo of Naby Keïta and Dayot Upamecano, as well as the Nottingham Forest teenager, Oliver Burke.
Tinte endlich trocken! ✒ Timo #Werner kommt vom @VfB #Stuttgart und erhält einen Vierjahresvertrag bis Juni 2020. pic.twitter.com/k5INQ25NLH
— RB Leipzig (@DieRotenBullen) June 14, 2016
Leipzig’s debut season saw the newly promoted side push Bayern München for the title, beating Borussia Dortmund into second place – and with it an automatic shot at the UEFA Champions League group stage.
Part of the reason for their immediate success was down to Werner, his 21 goals and seven assists in 31 Bundesliga games signalled his arrival as a quality striker.
His performances earned him an international call up from Joachim Löw, the native of Stuttgart made his senior debut in the March of 2017 and he has gone on to score nine goals, three of which came during a very successful Confederations Cup campaign in the same year.
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However, coupled with this success has been a growing speculation that the forward would leave RB Leipzig at some point in the not to distant future. As his contract approached its final two years that speculation led to a number of clubs being linked with the Leipzig starlet.
With his name tied to clubs across Europe, just who are the front-runners aiming to tempt Werner away from the RasenBallsport stable?
Timo Werner, where next? Bayern München – the favourite
It will come as no surprise that the Bavarians are linked with the natural finisher. Any homegrown player that becomes an individual of interest within the Bundesliga will at one point, or another, find themselves mentioned in the same sentence as the Rekordmeister.
Werner’s rise hasn’t gone unnoticed on Säbener Straße, emerging as Bayern’s number one target should he become available.
The players’ agent, Karlheinz Förster spoke to German publication Sport Bild in June 2018. Stating that the Munich side had already sounded the player out regarding a move, even before he signed for Leipzig.
Timo Werner in action against Bayern München, but could the club be a future destination? (Photo by Sebastian Widmann/Bongarts/Getty Images)
Förster commented that four years ago “wasn’t the right move, Timo wasn’t yet ready for the step up“, arguably he is now and not many players turn down Bayern twice.
The forward himself dropped the biggest hint that his future possibly lies in the Red of Bayern back in December, speaking to Sky Sport Germany the attacker said:
“I’ve had a nice two and a half years at Leipzig, so they are in the picture [for next season]. There are other clubs in the picture. If you play in Germany and want to stay in Germany, there is only one club in question.”
That club can only be Bayern München. Ex-head coach, Jupp Heynckes also admitted last season the club need to sign the Leipzig player in the future – even going so far as admitting they should have already made a moved for him.
Timo Werner, where next? Liverpool – the outsider
Since Jürgen Klopp took over the English Premier League side back in 2015, the link to German players – and those plying their trade in the Bundesliga, has been an easy one to make.
Sometimes convenient, the association with his homeland isn’t one to be ignored. Klopp has plundered the Bundesliga frequently when in search of new talent.
Defenders, midfielders and even a goalkeeper have all been purchased, so why not an attacker as well?
It is no secret that Liverpool’s manager is an admirer of Werner, and reports across England have linked the 51-year-old with a potential move for the forward.
Naby Keïta once of Leipzig would offer Timo Werner a familiar face in new surroundings. (Photo by Lynne Cameron/Getty Images)
Reports have also surfaced in Germany, Sport Bild citing that Liverpool are heavily monitoring the Leipzig player’s situation – especially with the futures of Divock Origi and Daniel Sturridge in doubt on Merseyside.
Werner’s agent, Förster is also known to have spoken to the Liverpool boss about his in demand player over the summer of 2018, and the forward very much remains a target that the Reds would make a move for.
Speaking to Four Four Two in the spring of last year, Werner spoke candidly of a desire to play in the Premier League with both Liverpool and Manchester United holding a special place in his heart.
Liverpool themselves have also shown that they are becoming somewhat masters when it comes to securing the signature of top talent.
Capturing their number one targets in all the recent windows, their only failure Nabil Fekir – a deal in which they themselves walked away from on medical grounds.
The Merseyside club’s ability to offer Leipzig a way out of seeing their striker pull on the shirt of Bayern should also not be underestimated. Die Roten Bullen are understood to prefer a sale overseas should one be forthcoming.
Werner’s close and successful relationship with Naby Keïta, while the latter was at Leipzig, also offers the Reds a bargaining chip – as does their appearance in last season’s Champions League Final, a competition the forward is keen to play in regularly.
Timo Werner, where next? Leipzig – a contract extension
There is of course, the possibility that Werner is just stalling on a contract renewal with Leipzig and he has no intention of leaving the Bundesliga club just yet.
He has been given a deadline of June to extend, or renew past 2020. Leipzig will not allow him to enter his final year under contract with the possibility of losing him on a free transfer.
The Futbolgrad Network has learned that the striker has become increasingly frustrated with regards to European competition football.
Timo Werner has had a taste of the Champions League and wants more – with, or without, RB Leipzig. (Photo by Michael Steele/Getty Images)
Poor results in the Champions League, coupled with Europa League woes, have left the striker seriously pondering his future in Saxony.
Sources close to the player have indicated that Werner is keen to play under Julian Nagelsmann, who arrives from Hoffenheim in the summer – but this can not be at the detriment to either a Champions League or Europa League campaign.
Put simply, if Leipzig fail to qualify for Europe next season there will be no future in the relationship.
With his current employers keen to secure his services for another four seasons, there could be some concessions made if an exit clause was an option.
Therefore guaranteeing Werner a move to a top European club should Leipzig be unable to match his expectations.
Timo Werner, where next? Mentioned in passing
Borussia Dortmund are also said to be keen on bringing the forward to the Westfalenstadion, but Hans-Joachim Watzke all but ended the club’s interest two weeks ago. Speaking to German outlet Ruhr Nachrichten, Watzke said:
“I know at least eighty players who would suit us well, but at least I have the impression that one of the two players has already settled his future- and not with us.”
Watzke’s cryptic answer led many in Germany to believe that the club in question was Bayern München.
Hans-Joachim Watzke, CEO of Dortmund set tongues wagging with a cryptic statement alluding to Timo Werner. (Photo by Alexander Hassenstein/Bongarts/Getty Images)
Tottenham Hotspur are another English club touted to be interested in Werner, with scouts from the North London side in attendance at both Leipzig home and away fixtures.
However, Mauricio Pochettino is in the market for a striker in the current January transfer window. Something that is not of interest to both Werner and Leipzig.
Real Madrid, Spanish newspaper AS reported on New Year’s day that Werner is on the radar of 13 times Champions League winners, Los Blancos.
However, they also report that January is the preferred month of recruitment, with Mauro Icardi of Inter a potentially more realistic target.
With Werner’s future under constant speculation one thing is certain, the Germany international has options aplenty for both him and his agent to consider.
Chris Williams is a freelance European football journalist. Covering the Bundesliga, Premier League and both of UEFA’s European club competitions. Published in both local and international publications, he also contributes to television and radio across the globe. A member of the UK’s Sports Journalist Association and the International Sports Press Association (AIPS). Follow Chris Williams on Twitter @Chris78Williams
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