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Evening Standard
Evening Standard
Sport
Matt Verri

Timo Werner told RB Leipzig open to sale as former Chelsea striker falls out of favour

RB Leipzig director Rouven Schroder has opened the door to Timo Werner leaving the club.

Werner has started just two Bundesliga games so far this season, and played a total of 30 minutes in the Champions League, as his second spell at Leipzig has fallen flat.

The 27-year-old spent four seasons at the club before joining Chelsea in 2020, but then rejoined Leipzig last summer in a £25million move to bring an end to his Premier League struggles.

However, his future at Leipzig already looks uncertain a little over a year later, with Werner falling behind the likes of Lois Openda and Benjamin Sesko in the pecking order up front.

Discussing the German's struggles, Schroder suggested that Leipzig would not stand in Werner's way should he decide he wants to secure a move away in search of regular first-team football.

"We look carefully at our squad, and we want players who have that something a bit different in their heads," said Leizpig director Rouven Schroder.

"Those are the types of players who we will pick. Timo is going through a difficult spell, and we are supporting him. Life isn’t always sunshine.

"If he has the notion that he would like to do something else, then we will deal with it. He is a part of our team, and he has to face up to competition for places."

Werner was linked with a move to Newcastle last summer while he was still a Chelsea player, though it was reported that the Magpies were put off by the striker's £270,000-a-week wages.

He took a pay cut to secure a return to Leipzig, and it remains to be seen whether that will be enough to persuade clubs to make a January move for the forward.

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