Daily Schmankerl: Leipzig facing reality with Timo Werner; Chelsea wants buy-back clause on Callum Hudson-Odoi; and MORE!

RB Leipzig will sell Timo Werner if next contract offer is rejected (Four Four Two)

It looks as if RB Leipzig is reaching the point where it knows it must do something if it wants to capture any of Timo Werner’s market value.

RB Leipzig cannot afford to keep Timo Werner if he will not extend his contract with the Bundesliga club, says chief executive Oliver Mintzlaff. Werner is reportedly a transfer target for Bayern Munich having hit 11 goals in the Bundesliga this season, one more than Robert Lewandowski. The Germany striker’s contract runs out in 2020 and Mintzlaff confirmed the club will consider a sale if Werner, also linked with Premier League clubs Chelsea and Liverpool, will not renew his deal.

Four Four Two captures quotes from kicker where Mintzlaff lays out the timetable for a sale of Werner.

Of course, we have to know at the latest after the end of the season. Because of course, a club like us cannot afford to go with Timo Werner into the final year of his contract. It’s logical that such a player should be courted by clubs that have a very different sporting perspectives and different financial possibilities than we have, but as long as we evolve as a club, Champions League participation would be very helpful.

Liverpool and Bayern had already been linked to Werner, but Chelsea’s interest could stem from finally giving up on an acquisition of Robert Lewandowski.

Buy-back clause could be a deterrent for Bayern with Callum Hudson-Odoi (Daily Star)

Apparently the soaring fees associated with Chelsea’s Callum Hudson-Odoi are not the only thing that is giving Bayern some doubt when it comes to the 18-year old winger. A buy-back clause is supposedly one of the major sticking points for Bayern in getting the deal done.

RB Leipzig, however, may not be afraid of such a deal.

Chelsea ace Callum Hudson-Odoi could be on his way to Germany - but not to Bayern Munich. That is according to Sky Sports transfer expert Aidan Magee. Hudson-Odoi has been heavily linked with a move away from Chelsea in recent weeks, with Bayern Munich said to be extremely interested. The Bundesliga outfit have reportedly had multiple offers turned down by Chelsea due after failing to meet their valuation of the player. The Blues are hoping to receive £40m for their up-and-coming talent - but Bayern are said to have only offered half of that over the last few days.

Magee claims that the German club are also not willing to include a buy-back clause in Hudson-Odoi’s contract, something which Chelsea are demanding. However, RB Leipzig are said to be willing to place such clause in any deal struck between the two clubs.

Interestingly, The Sun has reported that Bayern even upped its offer to €33m (£30m) for Hudson-Odoi.

David Alaba not worried about an acquisition of Lucas Hernandez (Sport Bild)

With so much focus on a possible acquisition of Atletico Madrid’s Lucas Hernandez, Bayern left back David Alaba was asked how he feels about the club pursuing a player who also stars at left back.

He is certainly a good player, otherwise Bayern would not be interested in him. He would be able to help us. I know it works very well for me on the left side. At the moment, I’m not worried about switching to the midfield position.

Hernandez, of course, may not necessarily be direct competition for Alaba as he would seemingly project to a center back with Bayern and provide depth at left back.

Also, there is this:

Sarri claims to be left in the dark on Pulisic move (Evening Standard)

Well, this is odd. Chelsea coach Maurizio Sarri claims he was not in the loop when the club made its mega move for Christian Pulisic.

I don’t know. I didn’t know anything about Pulisic on Tuesday. The club asked my opinion about him about one month ago. My opinion was positive. Today I have known that the deal is done but I didn’t know anything.

When asked if he would have liked to see Pulisic now instead of the summer, Sarri offered this cryptic response.

I don’t know, I am not in control of the market. I have to think about the pitch, improving my team and the offensive phase. We are good to build up the action, we have to improve in the last 20 meters. The club know my position, it is up to the board. As I said before I am not in charge of the market, it is difficult for me to talk about the market or the deal of Pulisic.

Regardless, it is a huge move for Pulisic and American soccer as a whole.