Contrary to previous suggestions, Bayern Munich might not buy Timo Werner this summer but wait to get him on a free in 2020.
Bayern Munich face RB Leipzig away from home this weekend with a chance to secure the 2018-19 Bundesliga title. Timo Werner and Co. will not only be hoping to stop the Bavarians from sealing their seventh consecutive Masterschale on Saturday, but they will also be hoping to learn Bayern’s strengths and weaknesses ahead of their DFB Pokal final on May 25th.
RB Leizpig have formed an intense rivalry with the reigning German champions since making the jump to the top division in 2016. Die Roten Bullen have only overcome the Bavarians, but they always give a good fight.
Bayern’s fight with Leipzig extends beyond the pitch, however. The two clubs are also battling for the future of one of Germany’s top young players, Timo Werner.
The Germany international has long been linked with a move to Munich, and all signs point to the 23-year-old making his move this off-season. At least, that was the case until recently.
More from Bayern Strikes
- Bayern Munich: Tactical takeaways from 2-2 draw against Bayer Leverkusen
- Bayern Munich: Kingsley Coman set to be fit for Manchester United clash
- Bayern Munich unlikely to move for Trevoh Chalobah in January
- Bayern Munich: Key lessons from draw against Bayer Leverkusen
- Bayern Munich remains keen on hiring Max Eberl
Despite previously claiming that RB Leipzig would be forced to sell Werner if he refused to sign a new contract, Leipzig coach Ralf Rangnick now insists that the club could instead see out the deal, which runs til 2020, if a sufficient offer for the player does not arrive.
According to Kicker (via Munchner Merkur), Bayern have not even made an official bid for the player. They suggest Niko Kovac is not particularly interested in Werner and prefers a different type of attacker. Sport Bild also report that the two clubs have halted any negotiations between them for Werner.
Both outlets make two things clear: Bayern and RB Leipzig are not currently discussing a move for Werner, but also that Werner is entirely uninterested in signing a new contract with Die Roten Bullen.
It will be interesting to see how this develops over the coming weeks. The two clubs could simply be avoiding entering into any discussions ahead of their two matches within the next month.
Bayern’s interest in Werner is fairly certain, and they’ve long been linked with the pacy striker. However, allowing him to develop at Leipzig one more season — and under Julian Nagelsmann — before signing him on a free could be a better move for the club than spending upwards of €40 million to sign him this summer.