Liverpool 'waited too long' over Werner transfer says expert
Liverpool's transfer approach for the Chelsea-bound Timo Werner has been slammed by former Blues defender Frank Leboeuf. Liverpool were frontrunners to sign RB Leipzig striker Werner before Chelsea agreed a deal with the 24-year-old last week. The Reds' interest in the forward has been long term and the player has spoken of his admiration for the Anfield club and manager Jurgen Klopp.
Reports claim Werner has met with Klopp and held discussions online in recent months.
The Germany international is also claimed to have met Manchester United manager Ole Gunnar Solskjaer and Chelsea boss Frank Lampard earlier this year.
However, Leboeuf says it is not a good look for Liverpool, with many believing Werner was on his way to Merseyside.
He has questioned why Liverpool started discussions with Werner in the first place if they were not prepared to activate his £49million release clause.
Liverpool transfer news: Frank Leboeuf has criticised the Reds' approach for Timo Werner (Image: ESPN/GETTY)
"If I can say something about that, I think it's very [much] a shame," Leboeuf told ESPN FC.
"It's very shameful what we see because Timo Werner almost signed for Bayern Munich and there was a turn of events and he didn't.
"And Klopp went to discuss twice with Timo Werner to say 'we want you, we really want you', so Timo Werner talked and said 'I want to come to Liverpool' and now he's going to sign for Chelsea.
"What are the fans going to think about that move? That turn of events that made it almost compulsory [for him to go] to Chelsea when he wanted to go to Liverpool.
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He added: "Yeah it's business but we talk about human beings as well and I never thought that Liverpool was that kind of club, that you want to block somebody before the others to get him and say that at the end 'I don't want you'. Is that fair? Is that normal?
"Liverpool wanted him clearly, they discussed twice to say 'in fact financially we can't do it'.
"They had the money but they didn't want him because he [would have been] a fourth choice and decided it would be too much money for a fourth choice.
"That's not fair for the player, that's just what I'm saying. Even if I love Liverpool."
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Klopp spoke at the weekend and explained he could not sanction a big transfer during the difficult financial times faced by clubs because of the coronavirus pandemic.
“All clubs are losing money," Klopp said.
“How do I discuss with the players about things like salary waivers and on the other hand buy a player for £50-60m — we’d have to explain.”