The reports that Liverpool have withdrawn from the race to sign Timo Werner are untrue, according to the Liverpool Echo. Earlier in the week, the Mirror reported that the Anfield outfit’s stance on the striker had changed and they were no longer willing to pay his £50m release clause due to challenges raised by the global pandemic.
However, the Echo are reporting that talks between the two clubs are yet to take place and so there cannot possibly have been a breakdown in the negotiations.
Werner has been in fine form for his current employers RB Leipzig this season, having scored an impressive 24 goals in 28 Bundesliga appearances (via Transfermarkt.co.uk). Here is how a sample of the Liverpool faithful have responded to the update, which was shared via @AnfieldEdition on Twitter.
Not happening. Salah,mane,firmino,origi and Harry Wilson are enough front power
— I Can’t Breathe (@GiniMiniManeMo) May 28, 2020
Timo Werner has to be a Liverpool player. Don’t think we gonna screw this.
— AnkiT (@TheAnkitG) May 28, 2020
Does nobody know how the dance is danced these days? Of course we want him but will try to get the best deal and if that means a bit of gamesmanship then so be it, seems to have worked well for us so far.
— Let’s Talk About 6 (@Machtig_Maus) May 28, 2020
Opinion appears to be divided on whether or not the Reds will make a formal move to bring the 24-year-old to Merseyside and given the contradictory nature of reports, some fans have taken this opportunity to criticise the Mirror’s David Maddock, who wrote the report that alleged talks had broken down.
@MaddockMirror just been bodied
— Jonny Davies (@_JGD) May 27, 2020
Surprising the echo went against maddock so quick..
— martyn_lfcfan* (@martyn1200) May 27, 2020
Maddock is clueless ..
— VISIONNDHLOVU (@visionndhlovu) May 27, 2020
@MaddockMirror in the mud
— Daniel heselden (@DanielHeselden) May 28, 2020
Do you believe Liverpool will end up paying Timo Werner's release clause?
Yes
No
Timo Werner scored a hat-trick for the Bundesliga outfit as recently as last weekend during their five-goal demolition of Mainz, providing a reminder to Jurgen Klopp and the Anfield faithful of just how much quality he possesses. It’s clear these fans remain desperate to see him in the famous red kit.
Cmon @LFC please pic.twitter.com/dqqJHymjvz
— IVAN HADLICH (@HadlichIvan) May 27, 2020
— ??sulle33?? (@sulle33) May 27, 2020
According to Transfermarkt.co.uk, the striker is valued at £57.6m and therefore his release clause, which is reportedly set at £50m, doesn’t sound like an unreasonable figure for the German club to be demanding.