Timo Werner’s transfer move to Liverpool is a step closer after his RB Leipzig head coach conceded defeat in the fight to keep the player.
The 24-year-old is the No 1 target for Liverpool manager Jurgen Klopp, who is believed to have had a virtual meeting with him during the coronavirus lockdown.
The Germany international still has three years left to run on his current contract at the club.
But with his release clause of £52.7m set to expire on June 15, Leipzig manager Julian Nagelsmann fears the forward is off.
He said: “There is nothing we can do about it. He knows what he has in Leipzig and also what he has with me.
“I show him that — he gets many chances to develop himself. I don’t know if it will help him that much if I tell him every day.
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“A player has to feel that he can get better. If he doesn’t feel that, it wouldn’t do any good if I kept on telling him to stay here.
“In the end, it is his life, his career, he can decide that. I can’t think of anything new to say to Timo.”
Liverpool owners Fenway Sports Group are still looking at the financial impact of the coronavirus pandemic on their club.
But they know if they let the June 15 deadline pass, they would have to discuss a fee with the Bundesliga side — which would see Timo Werner’s price rocket.
