Timo Werner is already planning a summer move away from with the west club prepared to let him leave even if it means taking a big loss, according to reports.
The 26-year-old arrived at Stamford Bridge in 2020 in a £47.5million deal from RB Leipzig off the back of a superb campaign in which he scored 28 goals in 34 Bundesliga games.
Chelsea beat off significant competition to land the Germany international – most notably from Liverpool – but he has struggled to live up to his price tag and billing.
Werner netted just six times in the Premier League last season, and only once so far this season, and has fallen dramatically down the pecking order under .
He is now behind both club-record signing Romelu Lukaku and even midfielder Kai Havertz, who has been playing – and excelling – as a false number nine.
Werner’s only league goal this season came all the way back in October, with a combination of injuries, coronavirus and poor form meaning his only goals since then have come against Chesterfield and Luton in the FA Cup.
With the former Stuttgart man on the periphery of Tuchel’s plans and eager to get his career back on track, German publication claim he is ready to find a new club.
Werner and his agent, Volker Struth, are already drawing up an exit plan and a return to the Bundesliga is the most likely option at this stage, with Struth having informal talks with a number of German clubs including Borussia Dortmund.
Despite Chelsea spending big on Werner just two years ago, the European champions will not stand in his way and are happy to facilitate a move.
In fact, they are only looking to receive around €40million (£33m) – a massive reduction on the fee they paid Leipzig – though his big wages could prove to be an issue for interested clubs.
Werner hinted at his frustrations at Chelsea while on international duty with Germany, having netted more times for his country than his club this season, saying the style of play encouraged by Tuchel does not necessarily suit his skillset.
‘I’m a striker and I always want to score,’ he said after netting against Israel on Saturday night. ‘Things aren’t going the way I’d like at Chelsea, so it’s all the better that things are going well here under Hansi Flick.
‘I really enjoy playing football, no matter where I’m playing. There are differences in the style of play between football at Chelsea and here. Maybe the one at the national team suits me better. Here, I always have scoring chances, I can score goals. I feel very comfortable here.’
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