According to a recent report by The Daily Mail, Liverpool have put their transfer plans on hold due to the recent COVID-19 pandemic with ESPN FC now reporting that Bayern Munich are leading the race to sign Timo Werner from Red Bull Leipzig this summer. The Reds have been heavily linked with a move for the German striker in recent weeks so their decision not to pursue any transfer targets at the moment could leave the door open for the Bavarian giants to seal a move for Werner in the off-season.
Werner’s Majestic Campaign In The German First Division
The 24-year-old’s £51m release clause has to be activated this month, so it is unlikely that the Merseyside club will have a chance to sign him for that fee during the summer transfer window (via ESPN). The Stuttgart-born marksman has enjoyed another spectacular season at the Red Bull Arena after he put in numerous goal-scoring displays in the Bundesliga so far. He has banged in 27 goals and provided 12 assists in 36 matches for Julian Nagelsmann’s side this term across all competitions which goes to show how lethal he has been in the final third.
Werner has also found a level of consistency with his performances this season as he has averaged 3.8 shots, 1.4 key passes and 1.8 dribbles in every 90 minutes of league football (stats via whoscored). He has cemented his place amongst the most prolific strikers in European football, so missing out on the chance to sign him for £51m will be a bitter pill to swallow for Liverpool heading into the summer transfer window.
The promising centre-forward has a decent goal-scoring record for the German national side, netting 11 goals in 29 appearances for his nation thus far. He will be expected to play a crucial role for Joachim Löw’s team in the UEFA European Championship which will now take place in the summer of 2021.
What Will The German International Bring To The Table?
Werner can use his quickness and agility to run behind the opposition backline which makes him such a potent goal-threat in the attacking third of the field. He excels at making driving runs with or without the ball and getting shots in on-target. The German forward has gradually transformed himself into a prolific goal-getter at Leipzig over the past few years. However, there are still some questions marks over whether he will be able to maintain such high standards in the Premier League if he decides to move to England someday.
Bayern Munich Move Ahead Of Liverpool In Race To Land Werner: Massive Blow For The Reds?
If the Merseyside giants end up missing out on Werner, then there is no doubt that it will be a huge blow for Jurgen Klopp and his long-term managerial ambitions at Anfield. The Leipzig star would have been a perfect fit for Liverpool’s style of play as he has the pace and finishing ability to give Roberto Firmino a run for his money for a regular starting berth in Klopp’s first-team. Furthermore, he is versatile enough to operate down the left flank, which means that he would have kept Sadio Mane on his toes as well.
Given the current uncertain climate in football because of the COVID-19 outbreak, the UEFA Super Cup winners are better off keeping their transfer activities under the wraps for now. Even though they might end up missing out on a few targets, the decision to put Klopp’s transfer plans on hold is completely justified as any move this summer could have major financial ramifications for the club in the long-run.
