Liverpool are ready to battle Chelsea for the signature of £60million RB Leipzig striker Timo Werner before the January transfer window closes. Werner, who has scored 20 goals in 18 Bundesliga appearances so far this season, is wanted by a number of Europe’s elite clubs including the two English clubs, Bayern Munich and Real Madrid.
Chelsea had initially contacted the German club over the availability of the 23-year-old after identifying him as an ideal striker to compete with their leading scorer Abraham. Also, Chelsea boss Frank Lampard was given permission to buy players following their ban reduction by the Court of Arbitration (CAS).
And according to The Telegraph, Chelsea made contact with the Bundesliga side in order to know if Werner has a release clause in his contract that they can take advantage of. But there has been confusion over a supposed release clause in Werner’s contract that has been quoted as low as £25.6million and as high as £51.2m in recent months, which Chelsea have tried to clarify.
Leipzig have expressed their desire to keep hold of their star man in January with the German club top of the Bundesliga table and looking forward to a Champions League last-16 clash against Tottenham Hotspur. Also, the club is chasing the Bundesliga title and a place in the Champions League quarter-finals under manager Julian Nagelsmann.
However, The Mirror reports that Liverpool manager Jurgen Klopp, who is fan of the 23-year-old is ready to battle Chelsea for the Leipzig star who has expressed a desire to play in the Premier League.
Blues scouts have watched Leipzig on several occasions this season with Ethan Ampadu on loan with the Germans and Chelsea have the option of offering either wantaway Olivier Giroud or Michy Batshuayi to Leipzig or any other club as part of a deal for a forward in January.
Meanwhile, Leipzig remain top of the Bundesliga after Werner’s double earned them a 3-1 victory over Union Berlin on Saturday.
