Timo Werner is one of the most sought-after strikers in world football, being linked with a who’s who of European elites stretching from Liverpool to Real Madrid. However, recent comments made by Ralf Rangnick, the head of sport at the German striker’s current employers RB Leipzig, hint that the odds are tipped in the Reds favor.
The Bundesliga ace, who has netted 21 times in 25 German top-flight outings, has been heavily linked with a move to the Premier League despite Los Blancos’ need for a striker. The Merseyside giants aren’t the only interested English clubs as Chelsea are said to be keen on his services, with Man United being linked as well every now and then.
The coronavirus pandemic and the toll it has taken on the economy as a whole means clubs will not have tons of money to spend this summer. While Werner might, as a result, not be able to move to Anfield in the upcoming transfer window, his preference remains Klopp’s side as per the rumors.
Ragnick added more fuel to this belief, publicly admitting that the Premier League leaders are the ideal club for their talisman forward. The RB Leipzig executive then went on to say that Werner’s future is in Werner’s hands but admitted that his desire is to see him remain with the club.
“The league is less important, but the club, from a purely hypothetical point of view, I would better see him in good hands with a club that is not necessarily defined by ball possession football,” Ragnick told BILD, as per the Evening Standard.
“Since Timo has made progress under Julian Nagelsmann, his most important weapons, however, are the quick switching movement and his powerful finish.
“Therefore, he would rather fit a club like Liverpool, which is similar to our style of play, but I would prefer him to stay here.”
The Bundesliga giants’ head of sports added: “In the end, it is up to Timo to decide what he wants to do. Here in Leipzig he knows what he has.
“Here he can play Champions League again next year.
“And Timo is someone who also needs trust. He only gets that if the respective trainer knows him and relies on him.”
Could this just be an honest admission from Ralf or is this a strategic declaration that 24-year-old is available for sale in order to spark a bidding war? While one cannot says clubs are ready to splash the cash on the German ace due to the coronavirus pandemic, there could be truth in the latter. Things will become clearer once we enter the summer transfer window.
