Transfer Centre

Timo Werner to Chelsea: When will the deal go through? What is the hold-up?

By Barney Corkhill, Editor | 12 June 2020

Sports Mole rounds up the latest developments from Timo Werner's proposed move to Chelsea, which has stalled since reports of an agreement more than a week ago.

It is now more than a week since Chelsea reportedly agreed a deal for RB Leipzig striker Timo Werner, seemingly beating the likes of Liverpool and Manchester United to his services in the process.

Confirmation from either club is yet to arrive, though, with the deal stalling, having initially been expected to go through within seven days of the news breaking.

Here, Sports Mole looks at the latest developments in negotiations and why the deal has been delayed.

What is the hold-up?

RB Leipzig striker Timo Werner pictured on June 6, 2020 © Reuters

The logistics of transfers is just one of the things which has been complicated by the coronavirus pandemic, and Chelsea fans will be relieved to hear that there is nothing more serious behind the lack of an announcement so far.

Werner has been unable to undergo a medical with Chelsea due to the practicalities of doing so while the world remains in semi-lockdown in an attempt to stop the spread of COVID-19.

The 24-year-old is not allowed to fly to England as a result of Bundesliga's restrictions, which would require him to quarantine and therefore miss at least one RB Leipzig game if he did, while Chelsea's doctors are unable to fly to Germany without having to then self-isolate for 14 days upon their return.

So when will the deal go through?

RB Leipzig striker Timo Werner pictured on June 6, 2020 © Reuters

The £54m question. Chelsea are understood to have agreed terms with Werner and Leipzig are duty-bound to accept any offer which triggers his release clause, so it now seems to be a case of merely crossing the 't's and dotting the 'i's.

However, the logistics of the medical outlined above means that this is unlikely to be completed until after the end of the Bundesliga season, which is currently due to finish on June 27.

Alternatively, in the unlikely event that the UK changes its quarantine regulations for any international travellers, Chelsea's doctors could be freed to conduct the medical and then return without having to isolate.

When does Werner's release clause expire?

RB Leipzig forward Timo Werner pictured in January 2020 © Reuters

The main cause of consternation among Chelsea fans may have been due to the fact that Werner's release clause was reported to expire on Monday, June 15.

Leipzig could, and most likely would, demand a sum way in excess of his current price of £54m if no club was to trigger that clause before it expires, which Chelsea are yet to officially do.

However, fresh reports have now claimed that the release clause will still be valid until July 15 - one month later than initially thought.

This eases the time constraints on Chelsea and means that they can wait until after the end of the Bundesliga season to officially wrap up the deal.

Could Chelsea still miss out on Werner?

The deal to take the Germany international to Stamford Bridge is almost set in stone, but plenty of deals have collapsed at this stage or even later in the past.

The transfer will not be 100% secure until the clause has been triggered and the contract has been signed, and while the news that his clause lasts until July 15 gives Chelsea more time, it also increases the window for another club to hijack the deal too.

Liverpool and Manchester United are reportedly not planning to do that, although a month is a long time in football and there is nothing to stop them from changing their minds.

Leipzig chief Oliver Mintzlaff has already moved to deny the initial reports that a deal had been agreed and, while it would be a surprise if Werner was not wearing the blue of Chelsea next season, stranger things have happened.