According to The Athletic
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RB Leipzig seems to have found a buyer for the sidelined Timo Werner. According to a report from “The Athletic”, the San Jose Earthquakes are close to signing a contract with the 29-year-old attacker. Sources who are informed about the proposed transfer are said to have told the portal this.
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Left winger | ||||||||||
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The plan is for Werner to start as a designated player for the MLS club. These players may be paid salaries that are not limited by the salary cap that is common in US sports. The 57-time national player, with no realistic chance of further appearances in Leipzig, is apparently ready to make a fresh start. Last summer, Werner was close to a transfer to Leipzig’s MLS partner club New York Red Bulls, but a final agreement was not reached at the time
“He has always behaved professionally and correctly. Despite all this, I believe that if he wants more playing time and we have discussed this with him in detail, perhaps it is time to change,” explained Leipzig sports director Marcel Schäfer on “Sky” at the end of December, suggesting the professional should make a change. But this is solely the decision of Werner, who still has a well-paid contract until the end of the season. “Should he make the decision to stay here, we will continue to work with him as normal. As we have done so far, because we respect contracts,” added Schäfer.
“Bild” reported on the San Jose Earthquakes’ interest in mid-December. Werner earns 10 million euros a year from the Red Bulls, so according to reports the Saxons could and want to save around 5 million if he leaves early. At the same time, it was still unclear whether a severance payment would have to be made, whether the Earthquakes would be able to cover this amount or whether Werner would forego part of his salary. A solution to this question is now apparently emerging.