Report: Liverpool hesitating over Werner move due to pandemic

Liverpool are delaying their attempts to pursue RB Leipzig star Timo Werner.

The Premier League club reached out to the German's representatives to ask for more time in order to first understand the coronavirus' impact on the summer transfer market, the Guardian's Fabrizio Romano reports.

Werner has been heavily linked with a move to Anfield, with reports suggesting Liverpool may trigger his release clause - believed to be worth €60 million (£52.7 million) - during the summer transfer window.

Liverpool are widely regarded as the front-runners to sign Werner, with Bayern Munich apparently falling out of the race after the forward recently revealed his desire to play outside of his homeland.

"If a move were to become an issue at some point, I would be more tempted by a move abroad than a move to Bayern," Werner said. "It's just that the challenge of another league would appeal to me a little more than a move within the Bundesliga."

Werner added fuel to the speculation after Leipzig's Champions League victory over Tottenham in February, admitting he was "proud" to be linked with Liverpool and calling them "the best team in the world."

The 24-year-old was enjoying a tremendous campaign - scoring 27 goals in all competitions and helping Leipzig advance to the Champions League quarterfinals - before the pandemic brought the season to a halt in March.