OPINION
There have long been rumours of Liverpool’s interest in RB Leipzig striker Timo Werner, but after the latest update, it is time for the club to act.
The German international is out of contract in the summer of 2020, meaning that if Ralf Rangnick’s side want to make any money from his sale they’ll need to offload him this summer.
That is especially true after what Leipzig’s chief executive Oliver Mintzlaff said on Saturday: “It’s well known that we want to extend with him,” he said, as per the Daily Express. “But he’s signalled to us that he does not want to sign a new contract.”
Liverpool’s admiration for Werner has been evident for a while. The Daily Mirror stated in January that the Reds were battling Bayern Munich for the player’s signature.
Jurgen Klopp must make a move for the 23-year-old this summer and they must make it fast. Bayern are always difficult to beat in transfer battles for Bundesliga stars, but if Liverpool make their interest well known to the player then they’ll surely have the edge.
Werner has had another tremendous season, scoring 17 goals and bagging 6 assists in 31 games in all competitions. He’s now found the back of the net 59 times in 108 games for his current club.
The Reds will need some striking reinforcements this summer, that’s for sure. Daniel Sturridge looks almost certain to leave on a free transfer, while Divock Origi’s future remains uncertain.
Werner would be a monumental upgrade on both those players, of course. He is a phenomenal frontman who is still incredibly young. He hasn’t got anywhere near his peak yet, so whoever signs him is assured of top quality production for many years to come.
Klopp’s team haven’t always been clinical enough this campaign, but bringing in Werner would remedy that. An orthodox number nine is what they are missing, and the German could be just the man for them.
