Chelsea are set to conclude a deal to sign Timo Werner from under Liverpool’s noses, and the only way the transfer could fall through is if either party gets cold feet. That’s the opinion of Football.London’s Alan Smith, who believes the Reds would have signed him were it not for financial restraints.
Chelsea sent shockwaves through the Premier League on Thursday as it emerged they had all-but wrapped up a deal to sign Werner.
Having already forked out £37.5million to sign Hakim Ziyech from Ajax, they are now set to pay £53m for the RB Leipzig youngster.
The Blues will reportedly give him a long-term contract and offered him a whopping £200,000-per-week to be part of Frank Lampard’s rebuild at Stamford Bridge.
The only thing left to be done is for Chelsea to pay the £53m required to release him from his Leipzig contract before he becomes a Blues player.
However, Smith warned that the deal isn’t yet completed, but that the only way it would fall through now is if either party pulls out.
He explained during a Q&A with followers that Werner was desperate to play for Liverpool due to his admiration for Jurgen Klopp, but the Premier League leaders simply couldn’t compete with Chelsea financially.
“I’m going to say 9/10 [confident the deal happens],” Smith said.”The only thing that could scupper it is if either party get cold feet.
“But a) Chelsea have been keen on him for months and b) Werner is keen on the club too.
“Liverpool were his first choice out of a desire to play with Klopp but as of last week they were no longer interested (almost certainly for financial reasons).
“All suggestions from Liverpool last week were that they no longer had any interest.
“As above, that seems like it is for financial reasons more than not a lack of interest in the actual player.”
Smith also predicted the role Werner would play in Lampard’s new-look attack, indicating that Mason Mount could miss out as a result of the club’s transfer activity.
“One thing that I can’t make my mind up on about Werner is his best position,” he continued.
“Having seen the four Leipzig games since the Bundesliga restarted, I would say he was most lively in a free role behind Poulsen (who is now injured).
“A front four next season of Ziyech, Werner, Pulisic; Abraham would be very, very tasty.”
