From Germany: Liverpool could sign key Klopp transfer target in £60.9m deal

The January transfer window is in full swing and managers are working hard on strengthening their squads and identifying targets for the summer so we’ll keep you up-to-date with the latest rumours. Today, Liverpool could sign Timo Werner for £60.9m…

Liverpool could be able to sign Timo Werner for £60.9m next summer if the striker signs a new contract that’s on offer at RB Leipzig, according to reports in Germany via the Express.

Jurgen Klopp isn’t expected to dip in to the transfer market this month as his Liverpool side are flying high at the top of the Premier League table and he won’t want to disrupt that momentum by messing with his squad too much.

However, the Liverpool boss is planning ahead for the summer window and a new striker is reportedly on the agenda after the Reds sold Dominic Solanke to Bournemouth while the futures of Divock Origi and Daniel Sturridge are also in serious doubt.

Liverpool have been linked with a move for Werner for some time and Sport Bild reported earlier this month that the Merseysiders were showing a keen interest after Klopp identified the Leipzig hitman as a prime target.

It looks like the former Borussia Dortmund coach could be given the opportunity to sign Werner for a reasonable fee in today’s market this summer if the striker agrees a new contract that’s been put on the table.

The Express are citing a report from Bild that claims Leipzig are desperate to protect their investment as Werner has just 18 months left on his contract so they’ve offered him a new deal worth around £5.2m per year – which would make him the clubs highest earner.

However, as a further incentive to persuade Werner to sign on the dotted line, the German outlet says Leipzig have agreed to include a clause that would allow 10 of Europe’s biggest clubs to sign the striker for a set £60.9m [€70m] fee.

The report names Liverpool as one of the clubs who’ll be able to trigger the release clause but they could face competition if the likes of Man City, Barcelona, Real Madrid, Bayern Munich or PSG also come calling for Werner in the summer.

The German international has scored 13 goals in all competitions so far this season taking his tally to 55 goals in 99 appearances since joining Leipzig from Stuttgart in 2016 which has seen him become a regular in the national squad.

READ –> Liverpool transfer news

We’ll have to wait and see how things develop over the coming months but Werner would provide stiff competition for Roberto Firmino if Liverpool were to win the race for his signature in the summer.