Liverpool have been given a huge boost in their pursuit of Timo Werner after RB Leipzig manager Julian Nagelsmann confirmed he could not convince the striker to remain in Germany, per The London Evening Standard.
The striker has been the subject of intense interest from the Reds in recent months, with a report from The Athletic claiming that the striker has privately expressed his desire to move to Anfield.
The ongoing pandemic, however, has thrown that move into doubt, despite Werner's contract containing a release clause of £53.7m that can be triggered in June.
Such a fee for a player who has scored 31 goals in 40 outings this season, per Transfermarkt, would surely have seemed like a no-brainer prior to the suspension of football in Europe.
However, it appears that the Reds have now been handed a boost as Nagelsmann confirmed that he is unlikely to be able to convince Werner to stay when the transfer window eventually opens.
He said: "There is nothing we can do about it. He knows what he has in Leipzig and also what he has with me.
"I show him that — he gets many chances to develop himself. I don't know if it will help him that much if I tell him every day.
"A player has to feel that he can get better. If he doesn't feel that, it wouldn't do any good if I kept on telling him to stay here.
"In the end, it is his life, his career, he can decide that. I can't think of anything new to say to Timo."
GIVEMESPORT'S Harry Sherlock says...
Liverpool really need to move heaven and earth to get this deal done.
Werner is an astonishing striker with a potent mix of abilities; he is remarkably quick, he's a superb finisher, and he can also provide; in addition to his 31 goals this season, he has also laid on 12 assists in all competitions.
He would supplement the threat posed by the Reds' brilliant front three of Mohamed Salah, Roberto Firmino, and Sadio Mane brilliantly, and it seems as though Leipzig are resigned to the possibility of him heading to pastures new.
While the Reds may not be rolling in cash, they need to find a way to get Werner in; he can help them take the next step as they look, surely, to retain the Premier League title next season.