Liverpool are prepared to step up their interest in RB Leipzig forward Timo Werner after Chelsea opened negotiations to sign the German, according to the Mirror.
The newspaper claims that the Reds were willing to wait until the summer before making a bid for the 23-year-old but the Blues’ attempts to sign him has led to manager Jurgen Klopp deciding to bring forward his plans.
Fans on Twitter have had a mixed reaction to the report:
Would be a great addition! ???
— Matt Bellagio (@MBellagio) 19 January 2020
If we get him we are gonna win the league for years
— Danny Brave (@LionFootballl) 19 January 2020
Oh it's from the mirror, obviously bs then.
— Adam Everett (@Adsioni) 19 January 2020
Never happening, shame but he’s going to Chelsea. He’s on record saying he won’t come to Liverpool because he’s not guaranteed to start.
— Alex (@runandjumpson) 19 January 2020
Due to the changes of AFCON dates, I can see a couple of top European players signing for Liverpool in the summer
— Vignesh (@Vijay_Thalaiva) 19 January 2020
Why not get him now instead of summer? He's better than Origi and can rotate with Firmino.
— The Spion Klopp (@mikeyc71) 19 January 2020
Hasn’t he already said he doesn’t want to sit on our bench?
— KiERoN (@kie666ron) 19 January 2020
— TunjungGandhiPrabowo (@NjungGerrard) 19 January 2020
Him and Havertz is enough for us.
— i am (@menINblock0) 19 January 2020
He wont be sold in January when they are going for the league
— Rob O Regan (@realroboregan) 18 January 2020
please tell me this is not speculation and there is actual truth to this!!
— JonMac⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ (@jonmac3000) 18 January 2020
Werner is reportedly valued at £60m by Leipzig, and the Bundesliga club would probably be reluctant to let the striker leave before the end of the season. Julian Nagelsmann’s side are currently top of the Bundesliga table, and need the forward to spearhead their title challenge.
The German international has already scored 20 goals in 18 league games this season, and while both Chelsea and Liverpool could be looking to seal a deal this month, it does seem unlikely that he’ll arrive before the summer.