Manchester United considered signing Timo Werner from Chelsea before he rejoined RB Leipzig, according to reports.
The Red Devils are in desperate need of a striker with Anthony Martial injured, Rashford out of form and Cristiano Ronaldo still keen to leave the club.
Erik ten Hag’s side were keen on a move for Marko Arnautovic, but abandoned a deal after receiving huge backlash from angry supporters.
United have since been offered the opportunity to sign former Chelsea flop Alvaro Morata and have reignited their interest in Watford star Ismaila Sarr.
It has now been revealed that United were keen on signing Werner before he chose to return to Leipzig after his struggles at Stamford Bridge.
The German striker has returned to the Bundesliga team on a four-year deal in a transfer worth around £25m, around half of what Chelsea paid Leipzig for him two years ago.
Werner failed to live up to expectations in west London, scoring only 23 goals in 89 games across all competitions.
He will be fondly remembered by Blues fans however, thanks to his contributions that helped the club win the UEFA Champions League, UEFA Super Cup and Club World Cup, as well as reach the finals of the FA Cup (twice) and the Carabao Cup.
Werner made his name at Leipzig, scoring 95 goals and making 40 assists in 159 matches before moving to Chelsea in 2020 for £47.5m.
‘I am incredibly grateful for the time I spent at this special club,’ Werner said about his time at Chelsea.
‘I felt so much love and support throughout the last two years and I will never forget how you guys stood behind me in good and in challenging times!’
Quizzed about rejoining Leipzig, Werner added: ‘I had a great time here between 2016 and 2020, when we performed brilliantly as newcomers in the league.
‘It was a dignified departure for me to leave the club as record goal scorer, but that’s in the past now and I’m looking ahead, because both I and the club have developed in the past two years.
‘I had two great years at Chelsea that I’m really grateful for. The experience to play abroad in a new league really helped me and my career.
‘Now I’m looking forward to the new season with RB Leipzig and above all to meeting the Leipzig fans again, who mean a great deal to me.’
