Liverpool pull out of Timo Werner transfer talks and end pursuit of RB Leipzig striker over £50m release clause – reports
Liverpool have reportedly ended their pursuit of RB Leipzig striker as the Premier League giants are refusing to meet his £50million release clause.
The 24-year-old Germany international has been heavily linked with a summer transfer to Anfield, with Jurgen Klopp believed to be a big admirer of his compatriot.
And no wonder – Werner has been in sensational form this season and continued his exceptional scoring form with a hat-trick over Mainz last weekend – taking his tally to 24 goals in 27 Bundesliga matches this campaign.
Leipzig manager Julian Nagelssmann has even admitted the striker’s head could be turned by Liverpool’s interest and he is likely to now be considering his future at the German club.
But according to reports, the Reds have now ended their pursuit of the frontman.
The claims Liverpool have ‘refused point blank’ to pay the world-class striker’s release clause, despite it standing at just £50million.
Leipzig are standing firm, though, and will not negotiate a price tag below that fee, so it is claimed the Reds have withdrawn from any talks.
The Premier League champions-elect are said to be unwilling to splash the cash this summer given the current financial uncertainty of football during the coronavirus crisis, with the transfer market slashing value of a world’s top stars.
And it is reported Liverpool now value Werner at closer to £30m.
Inter Milan and Barcelona are also said to hold an interest but are also unwilling to pay out his £50m price tag in full.
Werner has two years remaining on his Leipzig contract, so may be forced to stick it out at the German side in order to force his exit fee down.
For the moment, though, Leipzig are not budging, with Leipzig CEO Oliver Mintzlaff insisting during an interview on Wednesday night: “It won’t get any cheaper.
“We will not sell a player below value if he is under contract for more than a year.
“In general, we always ask the question: can we replace a player if we sell him for less than his market value?”
The Mirror adds that Liverpool had hoped to sell three players this summer, Xherdan Shaqiri, Harry Wilson and Marko Grujic, to raise funds for major signings.
However, where the trio were worth a combined £60m before the coronavirus pandemic, their value has also fallen significantly.