Liverpool were unable to sign RB Leipzig striker Timo Werner due to financial constraints, according to multiple reports in the English media.
It is claimed that the Reds’ owners FSG were not willing to trigger the German’s £53m release clause due to the economic downturn caused by the global health crisis, as well as prioritising new contracts for Alisson and Virgil van Dijk.
Chelsea then swooped in to complete a deal for Werner, and fans on Twitter are frustrated with the way the club have handled things:
70 mill for training complex and extensions to anfield. Just hope klopp isn't rattled by this
— Bangerfingers (@Bangerfingers) June 4, 2020
Ffs do we have the money or not?
— Hilton (@Hilton31_Radebe) June 5, 2020
Klopp has just cemented himself as the best manager currently.working within such tight budget constraints.
— Rı¢ħ Høмıe Jυαи (@frocjohn) June 5, 2020
embarrassing owners
— Ryan Keyo (Wade) (@RyanKeyo) June 5, 2020
Surely the boys see this as a lack of ambition by the owners. Not paying the extra 10m or so for a highly rated talent who bags 30+ goals a season…
— Naby SZN tbc* (@46milliGuinea) June 4, 2020
Why can’t they walk and chew gum at the same time.. ridiculous!
— Josh Lamers (@ju1cebox12) June 4, 2020
Contract renewals instead of Werner?
Stop spinning, please.— Easy* (@easystrider71) June 4, 2020
My god. We’re the only club that can’t sign players and extend contracts of our current players. Never seen other clubs struggle to do both.
— ً (@szlfc) June 4, 2020
Other teams lock down their stars, whilst signing fresh talent. Excuses excuses.
— Red Rojo (@redrojo_) June 4, 2020
Supporters are right to be angry if FSG have prevented manager Jurgen Klopp from getting one of his key targets, but things have to be put in perspective.
Werner would not have been an automatic first choice next season even if he was signed, and you can appreciate why a £53m bid for someone who was not a guaranteed starter may have been ruled out.