Coach Marco Rose denies release for Timo Werner

Timo Werner's Future at RB Leipzig Uncertain, Says Coach Marco Rose... Sort Of

Rumors swirled on Thursday that Timo Werner might be on the move from RB Leipzig during the winter transfer window, with the DFB star cleared to play. However, coach Marco Rose swiftly squashed those hopes on Friday.

"No such thing," Rose declared, expressing his support for Werner and acknowledging his current struggles on the field. The international striker has been finding his position as a first-choice striker difficult, buried as the fourth option in Leipzig's roster.

Rose maintained that the recent media speculation was merely "about performance" and "offering himself" to the team. While no discussions of a transfer had taken place, the coach emphasized the importance of Werner's talents and his role in the squad.

"I expect Timo to lead the way with his quality and his CV and carry the team along with him," Rose said, hinting that Werner could still play a crucial role in the club's future, possibly even boosting his chances for a spot in the European Championship squad.

However, the tumultuous year for Werner has seen him slide out of the German national team's limelight. Despite his struggles, the coach remains optimistic that a chance to squash his recent struggles in a win could give him a second chance.

"If we go through this phase together – which is what I would like to see – there is also a chance that he will recommend himself for higher tasks again," Rose said.

Rose is set to face Werner's former team, Borussia Dortmund, on Saturday. Known for his success with both Dortmund and Leipzig, Rose has indicated that victory would put his former team in a precarious position, potentially threatening their coach's job.

While rumors abound regarding a transfer for Werner, it seems the gossip mill may have given way to hopeful speculation, as there is currently no official plan to tear Werner away from RB Leipzig.

Additional Insight:

Werner's time at RB Leipzig has been notable for its on-and-off nature. A productive loan spell at Chelsea in 2021-22 brought him closer to his long-time goal of moving to the Premier League, but the club failed to meet the transfer fee required to make the deal permanent.

As a result, Leipzig decided to keep Werner on board for a while longer. Despite this, reports of Werner's dissatisfaction with Leipzig persisted, and he was connected with several European clubs, including Bayern Munich and Tottenham Hotspur.

However, it appears that a new deal might be in the works. Recent reports suggest that Leipzig is considering a contract extension for Werner, complete with an exit clause that would allow Bayern Munich to purchase him next summer[1].