ZCZC
BSP-30
FBL-GER-BUNDESLIGA-LEIPZIG-WERNER
RB Leipzig give Bayern-target Werner extension ultimatium
BERLIN, Jan 17, 2019 (BSS/AFP) – RB Leipzig have given Timo Werner an
ultimatum to sign a contract extension by the end of the season with Bayern
Munich already having expressed interest in the Germany striker.
With the Bundesliga to resume this weekend after the winter break, fourth-
placed Leipzig host current leaders Borussia Dortmund in a mouth-watering
clash on Sunday.
Curiously, Werner, 22, has yet to score against Dortmund in seven previous
meetings for either Leipzig or previous club Stuttgart.
However, the hot-shot Germany forward has been told he has six months to
make up his mind about his future, with his contract to expire in June 2020.
“Logically, we need to know by the end of the season at the latest how
things will continue, because obviously a club like us can’t allow Timo
Werner to go into the final year of his contract,” Leipzig’s CEO Oliver
Mintzlaff told Kicker magazine.
Bayern head coach Niko Kovac has described the striker as a player with
“very good skills” and Werner has previously hinted at a move to Munich, “if
you play at RB Leipzig and want to stay in Germany, there is really only one
club to switch to”.
Leipzig will not let him leave on a free transfer, especially with
Dortmund, Liverpool and Real Madrid also reportedly interested
Werner, who has scored nine goals in 23 internationals for Germany, has
said he wants to play under Julian Nagelsmann, one of Germany’s rising star
coaches who will take over at Leipzig next season – but he needs to sign a
contract extension or will be sold, Mintzlaff made clear.
“We feel that our arguments have got through to the player and his
advisor,” the Leipzig boss added, leaving Werner with a decision to make.
BSS/AFP/BZC/2005HRS