Tottenham are set to pass on the opportunity to sign Timo Werner for just £8.5m this summer following an underwhelming loan spell, according to reports this week.
The 28-year-old forward has endured a turbulent career so far, despite his promising breakthrough at RB Leipzig between 2016 and 2020. His performances for the Bundesliga club during his first spell caught the attention of Europe's top clubs and he was signed by Chelsea for £45m ahead of the 20/21 campaign.
During his two years at Stamford Bridge, Werner failed to live up to expectations and was ultimately sold back to Leipzig in 2022. There, he struggled to re-establish himself as a regular first team player and in January 2024, he was signed by Tottenham on loan until the end of the 2024/25 season.
Since returning to London. Werner has scored just three goals in 41 appearances in all competitions and has so far amassed less than 1,000 minutes of action. It is for that reason The Mirror now claim sources close to the forward believe he will not be at Tottenham beyond this summer.
It has been suggested they anticipate he will return to his parent club, RB Leipzig, and will then consider his options. A move to MLS side New York Red Bulls has been mooted, but the article emphasises any deal will hinge on whether Werner is ready to end his playing career in Europe given he will still only be 29 come the end of the season.
Ange Postecoglou has previously criticised Werner's attitude, having taken him off at half time during a Europa League game against Rangers. In 45 minutes of action, the striker completed less than 70% of his passes, lost all of his duels and lost possession 16 times.
"When you've got 18-year-olds [in the squad], it [that performance] is not acceptable to me," Postecoglou said after the game in December. "I said that to Timo, he's a German international."
Tottenham already bolstered their attacking ranks in January with the loan signing of Mathys Tel from Bayern Munich, who they intend to keep beyond this season. Postecoglou addressed the Frenchman's future last month, telling reporters "I didn't bring him here for six months."
The Mirror also claim that Richarlison's future at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium will be assessed in the summer due to the Brazilian's long-standing injury problems. He was signed from Premier League rivals Everton in 2022 but has already missed 28 games across all competitions this season due to injury.