According to The Athletic, Liverpool manager Jurgen Klopp called RB Leipzig striker Timo Werner to explain why a summer move to Anfield would not happen following consultation with parent company Fenway Sports Group.
The Reds boss insisted that the decision was purely a financial one as he has no negative reflection on the player or his proposed role in his squad.
Both Germans remain on good terms after Werner came to terms with the explanation, but it wasn’t enough to convince him to go ahead with plan B – which was to wait until next season – hence, his decision to agree to a move to Chelsea.
The Blues were more than ready to meet his £54 million release clause in full as owner Roman Abramovich is keen to back boss Frank Lampard in the summer transfer market by making at least two marquee signings, and the club will finalise the deal next week.
Klopp had successfully convinced Werner about three weeks ago following two meetings and several WhatsApp chats that Liverpool would be perfect for him, but things quickly changed after the striker grew worried ahead of the June 15 deadline in his contract, prompting him to give them a separate deadline to make a final decision.
While Leipzig initially were ready to support Werner’s plan B to wait till next season for his dream Liverpool move, the fact that his release clause becomes £36 million next summer and £22 million in 2022 got them thinking, and they told him he had to leave – if another club is willing to pay £54 million – in order for them to balance the books.
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