Report: Werner to join Chelsea, sign deal worth £200K per week

Chelsea appear to have won the Timo Werner sweepstakes.

The Blues have agreed to activate Werner's £49-million release clause in order to sign him from RB Leipzig, sources told James Olley of ESPN. The German forward is expected to ink a five-year contract worth £200,000 per week.

Liverpool were long viewed as the favorites to land the 24-year-old, with Jurgen Klopp showing his admiration for the striker. Werner himself had even talked up a move to Anfield in the past.

But the situation shifted over the past week, with the guarantee of significant playing time apparently playing a key role in Werner's decision. The established trio of Roberto Firmino, Mohamed Salah, and Sadio Mane would likely relegate Werner to a bench role - at least to begin with - for the Reds, while at Stamford Bridge, Tammy Abraham is the only recognized center-forward who figures to be at the club long term.

In addition, Fabrizio Romano of The Guardian reports that Liverpool never actually presented an official offer for Werner, despite the longstanding rumors linking the two sides.

Werner is in the midst of a career season with Leipzig. He's racked up 25 goals in 29 Bundesliga matches so far this season, good enough for second behind only Robert Lewandowski in league scoring.