RB Leipzig might already be preparing for Timo Werner’s departure and how Jogi Löw impacted the striker’s extension

RB Leipzig’s contract extension with striker Timo Werner seemed to be a fit for both parties, despite the 23-year-old’s summer-long flirtation with Bayern Munich. Signed through 2023 and given a substantial raise to a reported €7 million per season, Werner looks to be a cornerstone for the Leipzig squad for years to come.

Or does he?

This could be a case where not everyone in East Germany is convinced that Werner is going to see out the entirety of that contract. Per tz, there are still whispers that Werner could move to Bayern Munich (or another top club) next summer and RB Leipzig seems to have acted accordingly in acquiring a potential replacement for the Germany international.

RB Leipzig had a bit of a center-forward shuffle going on yesterday as Jean-Kevin Augustin left for AS Monaco on a loan agreement, while Die Roten Bullen brought in former AS Roma striker Patrik Schick.

At 23, Schick is the same age as Werner and is considered a major talent. The Czech Republic international is with Leipzig on a loan agreement, but the East German club could activate a purchase option of €29 million next summer.

If RB Leipzig pulls the trigger on that option, it could be an indication that Werner is on his way out of town, whether that means a move to Bayern Munich or somewhere else. For his part, Werner is saying all of the right things and his performance on the pitch seems to give Leipzig fans a clear reason to happy the team retained him:

I’m glad that I extended my term in Leipzig.

Another interesting subplot surrounding Werner’s transfer saga was the influence that Die Mannschaft coach Joachim Löw has in giving his charge some advice. Citing a report from Die Welt, tz indicated that Löw and Werner discussed a potential transfer in March.

Specifically, Löw “made Werner understand that Julian Nagelsmann is a good coach and that under him Werner can take another step in his development.” In the end, maybe that discussion mattered or maybe it did not, but either way Werner opted to see if Löw’s ascertain would prove to be true.

Finally, tz also captured a quote that Hasan “Brazzo” Salihamidzic gave to kicker, where Bayern Munich’s sporting director does not appear to be too broken up that the move for Werner did not work out:

We have enough alternatives. Thomas Müller can play in the center, Serge Gnabry can and Ivan Perisic can too. That’s enough.