RB Leipzig have responded to claims that Chelsea star Antonio Rudiger has been trying to convince Timo Werner to move to Stamford Bridge. The German striker is in high-demand this summer with a move away from the Bundesliga looking likely.
Liverpool had seemed set to snap up the prolific frontman but Chelsea are also monitoring the situation and have been given encouragement in their pursuit.
This has left the way open for Chelsea, who are hunting for a new frontman in order to ease the goalscoring burden on Tammy Abraham.
Manchester United have also been attributed with interest and both Premier League clubs are believed to have contacted RB Leipzig over a move for the 24-year-old.
Chelsea transfer news: RB Leipzig have responded to reports Timo Werner may move to Stamford Bridge (Image: GETTY)
But Chelsea defender Rudiger has supposedly been putting in the groundwork by speaking to Werner in an effort to convince him the Blues are the best choice, according to Bild.
Rudiger and Werner were team-mates at Stuttgart and have also spent time together with the German national team.
Christian Falk, head of football at Sport Bild, tweeted out the latest development on Friday, saying: "Update the English poker game @TimoWerner: Werner and @ToniRuediger are friends, played together @VfB. Rüdiger tries to convince the striker for @ChelseaFC."
Surprisingly, RB Leipzig replied to the claim just a few hours later with a GIF of someone lying back eating popcorn.
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This suggests the club themselves are interested to see how the situation plays out, with some fans arguing such a jovial reaction discredits the claims.
Werner has previously ruled out a move to Bundesliga giants Bayern Munich and said that he wants to test himself in another country.
"Bayern are a great club, we don't need to talk about it, and Hansi Flick has proven this season he is a really good head coach," Werner said.
"But if a move were to become an issue at some point, I would be more tempted by a move abroad than a move to Bayern.
"Of course, it also important that mutual respect is there as much as possible.
"That's why I chose RB Leipzig at the time, and why I would choose the club for [the] next step as one where I would get that feeling."
Werner has 31 goals already this season and would add much-needed firepower to Frank Lampard's Chelsea side.
The Blues are believed to have enough transfer funds to be able to trigger the striker's release clause, although they are also hunting a new left-back and further attacking reinforcements.