Manchester United’s bid for RB Leipzig striker Timo Werner was contingent on selling Paul Pogba, The Athletic has reported.
The Germany international has agreed a deal to move to Chelsea after Frank Lampard’s side confirmed that they would match his release clause, swooping in to secure his signature amid interest from Jurgen Klopp’s Liverpool.
United had also been interested, however, and Ole Gunnar Solskjaer is said to have met with Werner in Berlin in February, before the COVID-19 pandemic placed much of the season’s transfer activity in doubt.
Nevertheless, United are said to have made it clear to both Werner and Leipzig that they would only be able to do a deal if Pogba departed the club.
The France international has endured an injury-hit season and separate reports have claimed that United value him at £150 million.
Perhaps understandably, due to the ongoing global pandemic, it is unlikely any club will be able to reach that valuation.
Werner, then, is set to move to the Blues, having scored 31 goals in all competitions this season during a prolific season in the Bundesliga, per Transfermarkt.
GIVEMESPORT’S Harry Sherlock says…
Reality has bitten for United here.
They are unlikely to move Pogba on this summer and, as such, have missed out on a genuinely excellent talent in the shape of Werner.
He is a born finisher, a pacey, clinical player, and while one could argue that United already have that with Marcus Rashford, it has to be said that a link-up between the two could have proved remarkably fruitful.
Chelsea, of course, have no such concerns given their recent transfer ban and the fact that they have clearly put some money aside to get the jump on their rivals.
They have signed perhaps the in-form player in Europe and their team is shaping up to be a fierce one next season.
United will surely be looking on enviously.