The Bundesliga's top-scoring German player this season, Timo Werner, looks set to move this summer after four seasons with RB Leipzig - where he has established himself as one of Europe's best young forwards.
Liverpool appear to be the frontrunners for his signature, with near-daily reports predicting that the 23-year-old is ultimately Anfield-bound.
A deal could even be wrapped up by mid-March according to the latest talk, but there is debate over the value of his release clause, while the Reds aren't the only team interested...
Liverpool Stance
While the Reds have a stable, prime-age front three - all unlikely to move this summer - it is said that the scheduling of the Olympics and Africa Cup of Nations (which could involve both Mohamed Salah and Sadio Mane) during the 2020/21 season may make the club more open to recruiting further 'competition' in attack.
90min learned last month that Liverpool are keen to give star youngsters Harvey Elliott and Curtis Jones more opportunities next season. However, Adam Lallana and Xherdan Shaqiri are both expected to leave, while the future of loaned out teenage striker Rhian Brewster is unclear, meaning there may be room for another attacking option.
Among the other connections, it is noted that Klopp has a pre-existing relationship with Werner's agent, the former Stuttgart defender,
The Athletic also suggest that
Timo Werner Release Clause
The reason for a March approach is Werner's release clause, supposedly set at £51m by RB Leipzig - that is until a deadline passes in April.
However, while the idea the release clause deadline is universally accepted across the reports, German publication Sport1 claims that the fee is actually only set at €30m - a figure that seems irresponsibly low, considering Werner's importance to Leipzig.
Meanwhile, transfer reporter Nicolo Schira makes the bold (possibly gun-jumping) claim that the Reds have already made an offer for Werner (€58m) and have offered a contract worth €8m a year, plus bonuses.
#Liverpool have offered to Timo #Werner a contract until 2025 with a wages of €8M + bonuses a year. Talks ongoing to finalize the deal. #transfers #LFC https://t.co/6QPL1SYvuV
— Nicolò Schira (@NicoSchira) February 26, 2020
Regardless of the exact cost of the deal, Werner would be a lot cheaper than another frequently linked target, Jadon Sancho, with most informed reporting suggesting Liverpool are highly unlikely to make a £100m+ move this summer.
Barcelona, Chelsea & Man Utd Interest
“I know that Liverpool is the best team at the moment in the world and when you are linked with that team it makes me very proud.”
While Werner has been making kissy faces at Liverpool for some time - most notably with the above comment after the Champions League win over Tottenham - the Premier League champions-elect are far from the only team in the running for the striker.
The Athletic says Werner has 'received proposals' from both Barcelona and Manchester United, while a source has told 90min that Chelsea too are keen as they re-evaluate Tammy Abraham's position as their first-choice striker.
The 22-year-old England international started the season well, but has scored just once in 2020 so far as Chelsea's form has stuttered.
Manager Frank Lampard has been vocal about his side's deficiencies, while a new forward seems a priority when the transfer window reopens.
Bayern Munich, meanwhile, seem to be out of the running for the Germany international having missed their chance last summer, instead switching priorities to Manchester City's Leroy Sane.
Source : 90min