RB Leipzig opens bidding for Timo Werner

Over the weekend, RB Leipzig’s Chief Executive Officer Oliver Mintzlaff acknowledged that star striker Timo Werner had turned down a contract extension from the club.

Werner, of course, has been linked heavily to both Bayern Munich and Liverpool over the past few months as it has become abundantly clear that the 23-year-old will exit Leipzig after this season.

The poker around Timo Werner (23) is now finally opened. The question is: Are there other clubs in addition to Bayern? At halftime against Wolfsburg (2-0) Leipzig boss Oliver Mintzlaff (43) told Sky: “As is well known, we want to extend with Timo and of course keep him. But he has signaled to us that he doesn’t want to extend.”

Today, Bild is reporting that Die Roten Bullen will open up the bidding on Werner to see if it can drive up the asking price on the speedy forward. Bayern, Liverpool, and Paris Saint-Germain are allegedly the top three clubs in pursuit of the striker, who has 17 goals and six assists in 31 games across all competitions this season.

According to Bild, the Bavarians are still the top favorite. But, Leipzig will give other interested parties the chance to bid. Like Liverpool and coach Jürgen Klopp (51). The Reds are said to have kept an eye on the striker. Real Madrid and Paris St-Germain with coach Thomas Tuchel (45) will also be watching Werner. That should boost the price.

The Leipzigers want at least 40 million euros for the national player. It is doubtful whether Bavaria will be prepared to put the sum on the table in the summer if they can get it free one year later. Werner consultant Karlheinz Förster (60) has already checked the key points (salary, contract period) of a possible cooperation with Bavaria. Are Klopp or Tuchel still in the mix?

BFW Analysis

If the price tag of €40m is accurate, this seems like a no-brainer for any of the three teams competing for Werner. The deep pockets of Liverpool and PSG would not flinch at dropping €40m on Werner and Bayern’s pledge to make a big investment in its roster this summer should also make Werner a legitimate option at that price for the Bavarians.

There have been other reports, however, that state a €60m-€70m cost associated for Werner, but RB Leipzig is losing its leverage by the day. It would behoove Die Roten Bullen to start thinking about making a deal now, especially after Werner’s superb effort against Wolfsburg this weekend, where he showed the pace, positional awareness, and tenacity that would be an asset to any of his suitors.