After years of growth in the Bundesliga, it seemed only natural that RB Leipzig striker Timo Werner would start to attract serious interest from some of Europe’s top clubs this summer.
Liverpool have been hotly tipped to sign the young German international for months now and the added draw of working under Jurgen Klopp seems like it would be a perfect introduction to the Premier League for Werner. However, it almost goes without saying that Bayern Munich are also thought to be chasing him as they look for a long-term successor to the irreplaceable Robert Lewandowski.
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Despite the speculation, RB Leipzig managing director and Red Bull’s Global Head of Soccer Oliver Mintzlaff is confident that Werner will remain at the Red Bull Arena. Answering a question about whether Werner will wear a RB Leipzig shirt in the coming season, Mintzslaff said: “Neither Jurgen Klopp nor Karl-Heinz Rummenigge have contacted me.”
“We are happy that we were able to extend the contract with him until 2023.”
“We also believe that we are still a very good stage for Timo Werner on which he can develop as a German international.”
It’s no surprise that Mintzslaff, as well as the entirety of the RB Leipzig support, is desperate to keep hold of Werner. The 24-year-old has been a revelation for RB Leipzig since he signed from Stuttgart for a reported €10 million back in 2016.
Then just 20, he had scored only 13 goals in 95 Bundesliga appearances for Stuttgart. The famed Red Bull talent scouts clearly saw something special in the youngster, though.
He scored 21 goals in 31 appearances in his first season at the Red Bull Arena and has already matched that tally after just 25 games this campaign. Overall, he has scored 88 goals in 150 competitive appearances for RB Leipzig, also pushing his way into the Germany team to net 11 times in 29 outings for them.
Munich or Liverpool for Werner?
While a formal declaration of interest may not have arrived yet, one is surely coming in the near future. He’s one of the hottest striking prospects in the world, but where would he fit in?
Jurgen Klopp is clearly a manager that any player would love to work under, but it’s a bit more uncertain where he would actually fit into the current Liverpool side. With the blisteringly prolific attacking triumvirate of Roberto Firmino, Mohamed Salah and Sadio Mane leading the line, would Werner be guaranteed a starting berth at Anfield?
Bayern Munich are renowned for scooping up Bundesliga talents, and it’s thanks to this approach that they have maintained their stranglehold on the Bundesliga title for so many years. Werner looks like the ideal long-term replacement for Lewandowski and could lead the line at the Allianz Arena for years to come but, after Lewandowski’s incredible season – 39 goals in 33 competitive apps – this year, the big Polish international looks like he has some gas left in the tank yet.
In that case, maybe Werner would do best to stay put at the Red Bull Arena for a while.
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