Tottenham make surprise decision over Timo Werner
- Tottenham make decision on future of loanee Timo Werner
- Spurs can buy forward for £15m from RB Leipzig
- North Londoners have now sealed alternative deal
By Sean Walsh
Tottenham Hotspur have extended the loan of RB Leipzig forward Timo Werner for the 2024/25 campaign.
Werner joined Spurs back in January on loan until the end of the 2023/24 season, with the club retaining the right to make the move permanent for roughly £15m.
A thigh injury prematurely ended the German's season at the start of May and so Tottenham have had much of the last month to decide upon his future.
Fabrizio Romano was first to report that Spurs are now in talks with Leipzig over an extension of Werner's loan under the same conditions of their previous arrangement, and the club soon confirmed that they had reached an agreement with the German side.
"We are very pleased that we found a good solution for both sides so early in the transfer window," Leipzig director Rouven Schroder said. "Timo's loan in the winter definitely paid off, so we wanted to give him the opportunity to continue.
"Until his injury, he was on the pitch for Tottenham regularly and from the start in almost every game, proving his abilities and playing an important role. We wish Timo all the best in London in the coming season and that he can continue on this successful path."
Football.London's Alasdair Gold adds that Ange Postecoglou is a fan of Werner, and his combination of experience and versatility could prove worthwhile during Spurs' Europa League campaign next season.
Werner proved a useful player in Postecoglou's system during his 14 games for Spurs this year, contributing two goals and three assists.
Prior to signing for Tottenham midway through the season, Werner began the 2023/24 campaign with two goals and one assist in 14 matches for Leipzig.
In part due to his most recent injury, Werner was not named by Julian Nagelsmann in Germany's squad for this summer's Euro 2024 on home soil.
Tottenham are the second English club that Werner has represented. He joined Chelsea from Leipzig for £47.5m in 2020, and though he was a fan favourite at Stamford Bridge and helped them win the Champions League in his debut season, he bagged an underwhelming 23 goals in 89 appearances before returning to the Red Bull Arena for £25.3m in 2022.