Timo Werner remains in RB Leipzig’s plans for the Champions League, despite reports claiming he informed his club he wants to join Chelsea before the competition restarts.
Leipzig eliminated Tottenham out of the competition and booked their place in the Champions League quarter-finals before the 2019-20 campaign was suspended due to the pandemic.
The club competition is expected to move on in August once the domestic seasons have been completed.
According to a report from Bild on Monday, Werner has told Leipzig he wants move to Chelsea, who are reportedly set to activate a £54m release clause in his contract, after the conclusion of the Bundesliga campaign.
However, Leipzig manager Julian Nagelsmann said in a news conference that he still considers the striker available for Champions League selection.
“He is currently, as usual, in my plans to play the Champions League. He is our player and has not signed for anyone else,” said Nagelsmann.
- Timo Werner refuses to play out Champions League season to force Chelsea move
- Chelsea in talks to add Said Benrahma to fearsome attack
“His importance to RB Leipzig is extraordinary. He has an incredibly good goalscoring rate, which you always hope for from a striker.”
The transfer window in England will open at the end of the Premier League season in July, meaning Werner could join the blues ahead of the resumption of the UEFA Champions League.
But UEFA is yet to clarify rules regarding transfers of such nature, with it unclear whether the Germany international would be able to play for Chelsea in the competition.
Nagelsmann only wants to deal with the situation when a deal is on the table, saying: “Then both parties will sit down and see what happens next. There are no regulations at the moment.”
Leipzig face Fortuna Dusseldorf in the Bundesliga on Wednesday and a victory could guarantee their place in next year’s Champions League.
However, they will be without Yussuf Poulsen for the season with a ligament injury, while the possibility of Upamecano returning to the starting line-up will depend on his performance in training.
“Yussi will not be used this season,” said Nagelsmann. “If [Upamecano] goes full throttle, he will play. If he doesn’t go full throttle, he won’t play.”
