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Timo Werner Could Join Lionel Messi’s Inter Miami as Talks Held
Timo Werner reportedly wants to leave RB Leipzig to get his career back on track and the former Chelsea striker has his sights set on linking up with a Ballon d’Or winner.
The German has faltered since an unconvincing spell at Stamford Bridge, struggling to live up to the £47.5 million release clause the Blues triggered in June 2020. He rejoined Leipzig in August 2022 for around half of that price but he has failed to rediscover form out in Germany and could part in the summer.
Sky Sports Germany reports that Werner “still wants to leave Leipzig this winter” and that the MLS is a “concrete option” for the former Tottenham Hotspur loanee. His contract is up in June next year, making this upcoming transfer window the opportune time for his club to cash in.
Werner Eyeing Lionel Messi Link Up
A move to the United States to join David Beckham’s co-owned Inter Miami is under discussion, and the player’s entourage and the MLS club are now holding talks regarding a potential switch. It’s claimed that the German can “very well imagine a move to Messi’s club.”
Werner has yet to play his club football outside of Europe, but could view Chase Stadium in Miami as a destination to relax and be out of the European media spotlight. That was essentially why Messi opted to leave Paris Saint-Germain and join the Herons and the Argentine forward is loving life in the US.
The 29-year-old was frozen out of Leipzig’s pre-season but refused offers from the MLS and Serie A, despite knowing he wasn’t part of Ole Werner’s plans. He has made just one appearance, which was a one-minute cameo appearance back in September.
Werner could now join an Inter Miami side boasting superstar names such as Messi, Luis Suarez, Sergio Busquets and Jordi Alba. Javier Mascherano’s men are battling at the top of the Eastern Conference League and currently sit third, just a point behind leaders Philadelphia.
Werner was one of Europe’s most exciting attacking talents upon his arrival at Chelsea in the summer of 2020. He had starred for Leipzig under Julian Nagelsmann, posting 34 goals and 14 assists in 45 games.
But the versatile attacker quickly learned the demands of English football and how they differ from those of the Bundesliga. He gave an interesting and honest admission during an interview with Kicker back in February 2021:
“At the beginning, I had this self-image that I can go on doing my thing here, but in the last few months I have been brought down to earth. It’s the way in England that you never have a quiet game. The players are 1.9 meters tall, brutal physically and really fast – including the defenders. It’s impressive what intensity is going on in the Premier League.
He added:
“Of course I noticed that in such a lull you are no longer necessarily called a super striker. I just had to let go of all the pressure of having to score goals.”
Werner isn’t the only Bundesliga talent to falter after a move to the Premier League and it’s perhaps the most risky league to buy from given its track record. Jadon Sancho failed to live up to his £74m price tag at Manchester United and Kai Havertz didn’t become the world beater many envisioned after joining Chelsea from Bayer Leverkusen for £62m.
This hasn’t dissuaded clubs from still swooping for players from the Bundesliga, and several high-profile names have arrived from the league. But Benjamin Sesko hasn’t made the most promising start at United, Xavi Simons has been disappointing at Tottenham Hotspur, and Florian Wirtz has come nowhere close to the £116m fee Liverpool paid for his services.
