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Football

14th Mar 2018

Liverpool edging United in race to sign highly-rated Germany striker

Matthew Gault

He’s one of the most highly-rated forwards in Europe.

Liverpool manager Jurgen Klopp is plotting to bolster his striking options in the summer with a move for RB Leipzig striker Timo Werner, according to reports.

The Germany international, who turned 22 earlier this month, has established himself as one of the most clinical finishers in the Bundesliga, scoring 21 goals last season with 17 already in the current campaign.

Werner has been linked with several clubs, including Liverpool’s Premier League rivals Manchester United, but according to The Independent’s Miguel Delaney, the Reds are in pole position to sign the forward.

Klopp has apparently expressed interest in the player, with the German coach keen to add a proven goalscorer to his frontline for next season.

Liverpool will already have one RB Leipzig star arriving in the summer, of course, in the shape of Naby Keita, the highly impressive midfielder, but Klopp has seemingly set his sights on one of the Guinean’s teammates too.

Werner recently revealed his desire to play in the Premier League, but Liverpool fans may take issue with the fact that he apparently would prefer a move to Manchester United.

“Playing in the Premier League is a dream for me,” he told  FourFourTwo 

“I would like to play for two or three clubs, and Manchester United are one of those clubs. But probably not in the next few years – later, when my English is a little bit better! I’m very comfortable at RB Leipzig, though.

“Manchester United and Liverpool were the teams I watched quite a lot in England. They were the two that I’m a little bit a fan of, because they have so much history. When Alex Ferguson was the coach, United won everything and were outstanding.

“In Liverpool, it’s also their stadium and the atmosphere. But, when I have to decide, I’m more Manchester United than Liverpool. I’m now at a point where at some stage in the future I’d like to play in a team that wins titles.”

Werner is under contract at Leipzig until 2020 and is likely to cost somewhere in the region of £50-60m.

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