Klopp ‘wants to meet Timo Werner for transfer talks’ with Liverpool having until 15 June to activate £50m release clause – The Sun

JURGEN Klopp's plans to meet Timo Werner and convince him to come to join Liverpool are being derailed by the coronavirus pandemic.

The German striker has long been linked with a move to follow former teammate Naby Keita from RB Leipzig to Merseyside.

The 24-year-old has enjoyed a stunning season in front of goal, registering 27 strikes in 36 appearances, and has been earmarked as an alternative option to Liverpool forward Roberto Firmino.

Werner has also been tracked by Bayern Munich but Bild claim Klopp is desperate to steal a march on his former rivals by meeting the star in person.

The Reds boss infamously sat down with Virgil van Dijk ahead of his switch from Southampton, a move that caused the Saints to complain to the Premier League.

And this week he revealed he wasn't impressed meeting Sadio Mane for the first time and said the winger "looked like a rapper starting out".

But any attempts for Klopp to meet up with Werner are being prevented by the ongoing coronavirus pandemic that is wreaking havoc around the world.

And with the UK currently in lockdown with no end date in sight, Liverpool face a race to activate his £50million release clause before June 15.

Werner called the Reds "the best team in the world" when discussing the rumours last month but Leipzig director Markus Krosche has since admitted any transfer away could be put off.

He told Sport1: "It is clear that Timo has attracted interest from other clubs for his great performances with his goals and assists.

"England has the same problems as we do.

"The crisis affects not just one league, it has a global impact, and we cannot say whether things will be the same in six months.

Pressed on whether he thinks Werner could stay put, Krosche added: "Everything is possible.

"We do not know how the transfer market is developing. We are looking into a very foggy glass ball.

"We do not know what our resources are and what the other clubs have in terms of opportunities."

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