Sport Bild reports that Borussia Mönchengladbach are open to the possibility of acquiring RB Leipzig’s Timo Werner. The former German national team striker is at least a topic at the Westphalian Bundesliga outfit. After shipping out Czech striker Tomas Cvancara on loan, Gladbach have only one natural nine left on their squad. Naturally, any deal involving Werner will have to deal with the matter of the 29-year-old’s salary.
The foals will be relying solely on the newly-acquired Haris Tabakovic to lead the line until Tim Kleindienst returns from injury in November. Gladbach do have a young center forward prospect available in Shio Fukuda. It remains possible that Fukuda’s strong preseason and the recent acquisition of Shuto Machino might enhance Fukuda’s playing prospects.
Regarding the salary issue, Werner’s move to Leipzig’s sister club has stalled because of the problem with the striker’s pay.The 57-times-capped German international earns a reported €10m per year. As Gladbach CFO Stefan Stegemann recently revealed to Sport Bild, Gladbach are actively attempting to tamper down payroll costs.
Werner would likely have to agree to earn less than €4m per year should he wish to move to the Niederrhein. Such a figure is based on the fact that German midfielders Florian Neuhaus and Julian Weigl are the club’s top earners with salaries in the €4m range. One sincerely doubts that the BMG administrative team wishes to pay players more than that.
Werner may be willing to take such a significant pay-cut in order to remain in the Bundesliga. Unfortunately for all parties involved, a loan deal cannot be arranged as Werner enters the final year of his contract. Leipzig would also seek a not insignificant sum to sell the currently €7m-valued player.
GGFN | Peter Weis
