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According to a report by kicker, RB Leipzig striker and Germany international Timo Werner is refusing to extend his deal with the club and is adamant that he will make a transfer either this summer or in 2020.
With Bayern Munich’s rumored interest in the 23-year-old, Leipzig may now start to feel the pressure to make a move. Should Die Roten Bullen not sell Werner this summer, it could risk losing the star for free in July of 2020.
According to kicker information Timo Werner (23) is still planning his farewell from Leipzig. If the intended switch of the national player to FC Bayern this summer does not work out, the attacker would like to go into his last contract year and would then be free in 2020. The Leipzig bosses don’t like this scenario at all, but Werner is in charge.
This latest news further backs up an earlier report by kicker where the publication interviewed Ralf Rangnick, who was candid regarding the situation and indicated that Werner was stifling any Leipzig attempts for a contract extension.
BFW Analysis
Recent reports have indicated that Bayern’s interest in Werner has cooled a bit as it has turned its focus toward trying to land Manchester City’s Leroy Sane and Atlético Madrid’s Rodrigo “Rodri” Hernandez. With today’s news that City is likely to land Rodri, Bayern’s budget could once again have some flexibility.
Despite the “insider” report last week that stated the allure of playing for Julian Nagelsmann would influence Werner to stay, it appears Werner is ready to move or is really playing hardball at the negotiating table. With Bayern and Liverpool both allegedly interested in Werner, Leipzig is going to need to fine-tune its plans for Werner sooner rather than later.
In addition, the leaking of Bayern’s current lack of focus on Werner — and Werner’s reported refusal to even discuss an extension — has neutered any leverage that RB Leipzig once had. Can a club that relies on developing low-cost talent into a high-fee transfer afford to let a valuable asset like Werner walk for free?
With kicker’s most recent report, it seems that Leipzig will have to make that decision very quickly.