Chelsea forward Timo Werner is in contact with Bayern Munich manager Julian Nagelsmann ahead of a possible move next summer, according to Sport1.
The German joined the Blues from RB Leipzig last summer with a big reputation but struggled to find consistency over the course of the campaign.
His tally of 12 goals and 15 assists from 52 games was more than decent, but he was guilty of squandering numerous clear-cut scoring chances.
That prompted the club to sign Romelu Lukaku in a record deal from Inter Milan this summer. Werner has been on the bench since Lukaku’s arrival.
It is now reported that Werner is in ‘regular contact’ with Nagelsmann, who previously managed him at Leipzig.
Bayern could move for his services next summer in the event of losing Robert Lewandowski and the failure to land their top target in Erling Haaland.
A high probability of 70 percent has been placed on Werner ending up with the German champions next season.
Our view:
Werner has dropped down the pecking order immediately after the big-money arrival of Lukaku.
The Belgian has already delivered with a standout performance on his second debut against Arsenal.
He scored after just eight minutes on the clock and was a constant menace for the Gunners backline.
Werner has struggled to have a similar effect as he does not have a similar physical presence up front.
He has got into good positions on the counter-attack but has had poor offside awareness.
Werner played alongside another striker at Leipzig. Yussuf Poulsen’s strong hold-up and link-up play suited him.
The Blues fans are looking forward to something similar with Werner and Lukaku together up top.
However, Thomas Tuchel has different plans in mind, and Werner will need to earn his starting spot.
Kai Havertz and Mason Mount seem to have established themselves as the regular attackers behind Lukaku.
There is further competition from Christian Pulisic, Hakim Ziyech and Callum Hudson-Odoi.
Werner no longer has the assurance of a starting spot unlike earlier this year when Tuchel persisted with him.
The German impressed with his off-the-ball movement, but struggled to pose a threat with the ball at his feet.
The 25-year-old has found it tough to cope with the Premier League intensity, and a future exit can’t be ruled out.
Nagelsmann got the best out of him at Leipzig. The €65 million-rated star bagged a stunning 34 goals in the 2019/2020 season.
There has been much talk about Lewandowski possibly leaving, but Werner could prove a perfect foil alongside him.
Stats from Transfermarkt.com.
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