Tottenham are reportedly “close” to completing a deal for former Chelsea striker Timo Werner, who was also on Manchester United’s radar in January.
Werner endured a disappointing spell at Chelsea in his final spell in the Premier League, with the German foreigner scoring 23 goals in 89 games in all competitions for the Blues, having joined RB Leipzig for £50m in the summer of 2020.
The Germany international returned to Leipzig two years later for £18m, but has struggled to rediscover his form, scoring 18 goals in 54 games in his second spell with the club.
But Tottenham, like Manchester United, are convinced there is a player there, with Florian Pletenburg reporting that he is now “on the verge” of joining Tottenham.
The Sky Germany journalist claims that Leipzig and Spurs are “today in final negotiations” over a six-month loan, although they “want to clarify more important points”, such as a possible option to buy at the end of the season.
‘The 27-year-old is ready to leave the training camp of RB Leipzig soon’, Plettenburg confirms.
It will be a blow to United after The Athletic reported on Tuesday that ‘contact’ has been made with the Bundesliga side by the Red Devils in order to ‘check on the potential cost’ of a deal to bring Werner to Old Trafford in the winter.
Reacting to the announcement of United’s interest, Dean Sauders said it will have to be a “liquidation”.
Saunders said: “Man United? I mean, that’s up there with Sir Dave Brailsford going in and making decisions, a cycling expert. I mean it’s just one after another, that’s a wind-up surely. They’re going to sign Timo Werner?
“Well, he had a knack for missing opportunities, didn’t he?Every time he got one at Chelsea, which is not a very smart thing to do as a striker, but he did it.
“His movement is excellent, quick, but he had a knack of missing every time he got in on goal. What are you excepting from him? If you sign a winger-come-striker, like a forward they call them now, goals and assists, that’s what you’re out there for.
“If you don’t do that, work hard, stay on the team and do anything backwards for us. He doesn’t do many and he doesn’t score many, and he’s going to have to pay him a fortune.