LIVERPOOL are set to offload three players to save the funds needed to splash £51million on RB Leipzig ace Timo Werner, according to reports.
The German international has set his sights on teaming up with Jurgen Klopp at Anfield but the financial implications of Covid-19 could cause a bump in the road.
Timo Werner could stay at RB Leipzig for another year in order to seal a 2021 transfer to LiverpoolCredit: AP:Associated Press
The 24-year-old is under contract with Julian Nagelsmann’s side until 2023 after he extended his deal last summer.
It is understood Werner has a £52m release which will expire in June which would allow Leipzig to crank up the asking price for their star striker.
Liverpool are in pole position to land the Leipzig ace having been linked with him earlier on in the season but the financial uncertainty surround Covid-19 could prove a setback.
Before the killer virus struck, Werner was expected to move on after four scintillating years with RB Leipzig where he has found the net 88 times in 150 appearances, including 27 in 36 this season.
But according to The Athletic, the Reds look unlikely to fork out the cash in the summer and Werner could make a move to Anfield in a later transfer window.
Liverpool are said to be desperate to land the Bundesliga hotshot and will attempt to turf out three aces to stump up the dough for the striker.
Xherdan Shaqiri, Harry Wilson and Marko Grujic are all surplus to requirements for Klopp’s side and could be of interest to other clubs.
Wilson and Grujic have been on loan at Bournemouth and Hertha Berlin respectively while Shaqiri appears to have fallen out of favour having made just 13 Premier League starts.
The Reds are said to have opened talks with Roma over a potential switch for the the Switzerland international.
Klopp will not want Shaqiri to go cheap as he could already lose Adam Lallana this transfer window.
Anfield received a major boost when Werner revealed he would rather take on a challenge abroad rather than move to German giants Bayern Munich.
And the 24-year-old has been learning English ahead of a potential move to the Premier League.
PSG offer Kylian Mbappé new contract on same salary tier as £600,000-a-week Neymar to fend off Real Madrid and Liverpool
Source: Soccer - thesun.co.uk
