Contract with RB Leipzig expires
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In the summer, Timo Werner was about to move to Major League Soccer to the New York Red Bulls. However, a transfer fell through, apparently due to the striker’s high salary demands from RB Leipzig. Recently, rumors arose again that a new attempt could be started between the two parties in the winter, but New York’s sports director Julian de Guzmán denied this and also commented on the negotiations in the summer.
“There were always conversations about him,” de Guzman told The Athletic: “But we have to make sure it makes sense for us here in New York. He’s a great name, I think the fans would have loved him… The opportunity was there, but I don’t think we were 100 percent convinced that this was the right thing for New York. That’s why we didn’t fully commit to it.”
Werner, who is one of the top earners, has long been one of the Saxons’ candidates for departure. They should part ways by next summer at the latest, when his contract expires. With 214 games for the Red Bulls, the 29-year-old is one of the top 10 record players. In the current season he only played for one minute and only made it into the matchday squad twice.
De Guzmán also emphasized that he wants to rejuvenate the team – which would also speak against a Werner transfer. The oldest professionals in the squad are former Bundesliga players Emil Forsberg (34) and Eric-Maxim Choupo-Moting (36), who are tied until the end of 2026 and take two of the three designated player places in the squad. The 44-year-old has specific ideas for the position that is still open: “I just want someone who can help the team get better. Choupo and Emil are all-stars, they are wonderful players. Will we sign another Choupo or Emil? No. But we will sign another player who will make the difference. That’s a must.”