Oh the glory of the transfer window. Reports are emerging from Germany that I would usually say were from deep, deep in Bat Country, except it turns out the sourcing is actually good.
Yep, looks like Tottenham Hotspur are close to signing Timo Werner from RB Leipzig.
‼️ EXCLUSIVE News Timo #Werner: He’s on the verge to join @SpursOfficial on a 6-months-loan! It’s very hot!
➡️ Leipzig and Tottenham in final negotiations today. More details have to be clarified (Option to buy…)
The 27 y/o is ready to leave the training camp of RB Leipzig… pic.twitter.com/HQfJP5CBMg
— Florian Plettenberg (@Plettigoal) January 6, 2024
There had been some rumblings in the last few weeks that Manchester United were attempting to strike up a loan deal, but in the last couple of hours news has broken in Germany that Spurs may have (say it with me) gazumped the Red Devils.
This came originally from Florian Plettenberg, who you may remember from being a total pain in the butt during the Harry Kane saga. Plettenberg is pretty damn good when it comes to German football (though more when it comes to news around Bayern), so it would seem there’s at least some smoke to this rumor. UK press have picked it up now too, and not just the tabloids. Matt Law from the Telegraph has it, Charlie Eccleshare at The Athletic has it, my sister has it… you get the picture. So it seems like this is something that is happening.
Thus far, the details are that this is a 6-month loan, with an option to buy, and if I’m honest… it seems like an intriguing proposition. Back when Werner was at Leipzig the first time around, he was an exciting young player I thought Spurs should have been looking at; since then, there’s obviously been the stint at Chelsea, which was… mixed (if I’m being generous) before he returned to Leipzig.
Werner is one of the most hilariously bad finishers I’ve seen in the Premier League… but he has oodles of speed, loves to attack the box, and his abilities might just lend themselves well to the wide roles in Ange Postecoglou’s system. We know Ange likes pace, and Werner is someone who has that, someone who can beat a man, and somebody who can really stretch a defense. These are traits that would lend themselves well to Postecoglou’s winger role, and with Sonny away at the Asia Cup (and injuries continuing to pile up) depth is sorely needed.
Here’s the thing: Werner is still just 27! That means he is probably what he is at this point, but in the case he did become permanent, the cost could potentially be recouped a year or two down the track – and an option to buy means we’re not stuck with him if things don’t work out! Look, I probably wouldn’t want him leading the line – but an obligation-free loan for somebody with Prem experience, pace, who could chip in with a goal or two until we sort something more permanent in the summer? I dunno, it sounds like a pretty good deal to me.
I’m sure there’ll be more to come on this so stay tuned.