REAL MADRID and Barcelona have identified Timo Werner as a back-up transfer target if they fail to land their priorities, according to reports.
The LaLiga giants are expected to go all out in the summer to try and bolster their attacking lines with the likes of Karim Benzema and Luis Suarez needing replacing in the long term.
And according to Goal, Werner is the man they will both turn to if they cannot sign the players top of their wish lists.
Barcelona have put a reunion Neymar as their primary piece of business once the transfer window reopens.
The Brazilian star left for Paris Saint-Germain in a world-record move in 2017 but is thought to want to go back to the Nou Camp.
Another player Barca are very keen on is Inter Milan striker Lautaro Martinez, who would cost around £90million.
At the Bernabeu, meanwhile, Zinedine Zidane’s No1 target is fellow Frenchman Kylian Mbappe.
The World Cup winner is already considered the world’s most valuable player and it could take a record-breaking fee to land him.
Goal’s report adds that Barcelona made contact with Werner’s agent before the coronavirus crisis.
Real Madrid have not yet been in touch but would be willing to use Luka Jovic – who excelled in the Bundesliga at Eintracht Frankfurt – as a makeweight.
But the interest from Spain could spell bad news for the likes of Liverpool and Chelsea, who are both interested in Werner.
The German, 24, is thought to be available for just £51m due to a release clause in his Leipzig contract.
However, Jurgen Klopp and also Chelsea’s hopes of securing a deal early in the summer look to be scuppered by the UK lockdown.
Both sides are understood to have made contact and were given a boost with reports stating that the Germany international has stating taking English lessons.
Werner has a special place in his heart for the Reds who he recently hailed as “the best team in the world” and added he would be a “good fit” at Anfield.
Chelsea, meanwhile, are ready to let Olivier Giroud leave and bring Werner in to provide serious competition for Tammy Abraham.
The Leipzig star has enjoyed a stunning season bagging 27 goals in 36 appearances across all competitions.
His strikes have helped Leipzig to third in the Bundesliga table and secure their place in the Champions League quarter-finals.
And those who saw his performance at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium in the last-16 first leg will know he showed exactly the kind of damage he could cause Premier League defences.
