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Another day, another Timo Werner rumour, with the striker said to be ready to snub Barca and United for the Reds.
With a new Timo Werner to Liverpool transfer story emerging on the daily, we’re starting to run out of things to say and ways to frame each one that comes along. Timo Werner is very, very good. He has a bargain release clause. He would fill a real need for the Reds.
On paper, at least, Werner seems the perfect attacking target for Liverpool, a chance to boost Jürgen Klopp’s options heading into a season where he knows he will be without both Mohamed Salah and Sadio Mané for a month due to the Africa Cup of Nations.
And, quite clearly, the 23-year-old star wants the move. Hence the whole part where he’s regularly been talking up Liverpool and Klopp. Which makes today’s story from The Athletic saying he’d snub Barcelona and Manchester United for the Reds less than surprising.
As Simon Hughes and Raphael Honigstein set it out, both Barcelona and United have given the player an offer and, were he to agree, would trigger his reported £50M (give or take the exchange rate fluctuation) release clause before the end of April when it’s set to expire.
However, the player is waiting to see if Liverpool firm up their interest, and if they do he is said to favour the World Champion Reds and the chance to work with Jürgen Klopp. The only doubt or question holding back both sides at all is said to be playing time.
Liverpool, though, will be expected to play 60-odd games next season. There’s the Africa Cup of Nations. There’s the possibility of tweaking the formation at times to get all four attackers in if Werner were to sign. On paper at least there’s a place for him.
Now we just have to wait and see if Liverpool can push this deal, which has at times in recent weeks begun to feel rather inevitable, over the line. Or if perhaps they already have and are simply keeping it under wraps for the time being.
