Two years after agreeing on the transfer of Timo Werner, RB Leipzig and Chelsea have again agreed on the transfer of Timo Werner, this time going the other way. (Though technically the first time involved a purchase, so there wasn’t much, if anything, to actually negotiate.)
Negotiations didn’t take too long this time either, with the deal moving quickly over the past week and now expected to conclude shortly.
According to various reports, Werner will return to Leipzig for perhaps as much as €30 million, which is still half of what we paid in 2020. That doesn’t sound great – it depreciates faster than a German luxury sedan! – but given Werner’s performances and wages for us, it’s probably not a terrible deal under the circumstances. And it’s certainly better than any kind of loan deal, which is what the original expectations were when these rumors surfaced.
Timo Werner has a permanent contract with RB Leipzig, we are confirmed here. The medical tests will be done this week, scheduled for Tuesday. #CFC
The clubs are preparing the papers to be signed today – the final details of the add-ons structure are being discussed with Chelsea, but the deal is done. pic.twitter.com/WiT9LLbZdz
— Fabrizio Romano (@FabrizioRomano) August 8, 2022
Some reports claim that the initial fee may be as little as €20 million (plus bonuses), which is less, but then again, it is what it is. We can’t really be too picky and no other club seem willing to consider an actual transfer (nor was Werner reportedly willing to cut his wages for any team other than RB Leipzig).
Either way, Werner is expected to return to Leipzig today, with official announcements to follow soon after.
#Werner News: Things moved quickly and as revealed yesterday, the announcement will follow soon. Probably Tuesday. It will arrive in Leipzig today. Total agreement between all parties. But cheaper than expected: about 20 million euros + bonus. Contract until 2026/2027. #CFC @SkySportDE https://t.co/AkxNGXWAYr
— Florian Plettenberg (@Plettigoal) August 8, 2022