Liverpool's Werner hesitation opens door for Chelsea swoop

 

Frank Lampard hopes Chelsea can capitalise on Liverpool's hesitation to sign RB Leipzig striker Timo Werner, claims The Daily Telegraph.

 

The Germany international is widely expected to depart Leipzig this summer following his breathtaking goalscoring form in the Bundesliga in 2019/20.

 

Werner has a £53m release clause in his existing deal but any potential suitors only have 12 days left before it expires.

 

The 24-year-old has reportedly made it clear he wants to link up with Jurgen Klopp at Liverpool but the Premier League leaders are not interested in paying £53m for him.

 

The Coronavirus pandemic is tipped to have dramatic financial implications on all clubs and Liverpool are willing to go into next season without making a significant signing.

 

Liverpool are also aware that Werner's release clause drops to £34m next summer and are willing to wait another 12 months for the forward.

 

However, it has opened the door for Chelsea to swoop in and sign Werner if they can convince him to move to Stamford Bridge rather than wait for Liverpool.

 

 

Lampard is desperate to sign a new striker over the summer to ease the burden on Tammy Abraham for 2020/21.

 

Neither Olivier Giroud nor Michy Batshuayi have long-term futures at Chelsea and the Blues failed in their attempts to sign Dries Mertens from Napoli in January.

 

Manchester United are also interested in signing Werner but his signing is seen as less of a priority than it is for Chelsea after securing Odion Ighalo's services on loan until January.

 

Werner has 25 goals in 29 league appearances for Leipzig this season and is one of only two players in Europe's top five leagues in 2019/20 with a hat-trick of hat-tricks. The other player being Lionel Messi.