Liverpool’s chances of landing Timo Werner received a boost after the RB Leipzig star appeared to rule out a move to Bayern Munich.
“Bayern are a great club, we don’t need to talk about it, and Hansi Flick has proven this season he is a really good head coach,” Werner told Bild, as translated by ESPN FC.
“But if a move were to become an issue at some point, I would be more tempted by a move abroad than a move to Bayern. It’s just that the challenge of another league would appeal to me a little more than a move within the Bundesliga.”
While it’s been widely reported that Werner is nearing the end of his time at RB Leipzig, the club’s CEO, Oliver Mintzlaff, said in April that he hadn’t been contacted by Liverpool or Bayern Munich regarding a transfer. It was also suggested by Leipzig sporting director Markus Krosche that the coronavirus pandemic could prevent a transfer this summer.
The 24-year-old Werner has a release clause worth around €50 million or €60 million that would allow him to leave Leipzig this summer, according to ESPN FC.
After a Champions League victory over Tottenham in February, Werner admitted he was “proud” to be linked with Liverpool, calling them “the best team in the world.”
“I know that many good players are at Liverpool. I must improve and learn a lot of things to reach the level to play there,” he added.
Werner was having a tremendous campaign – scoring 27 goals in all competitions and helping Leipzig advance to the Champions League quarterfinals – before the coronavirus pandemic brought the season to a halt in March.