• Timo Werner in action against Hertha Berlin. Reuters
    Timo Werner in action against Hertha Berlin. Reuters
  • Timo Werner celebrates after scoring for RB Leipzig against FC Union Berlin. EPA
    Timo Werner celebrates after scoring for RB Leipzig against FC Union Berlin. EPA
  • RB Leipzig's Timo Werner scores their third goal against FC Cologne. Reuters
    RB Leipzig's Timo Werner scores their third goal against FC Cologne. Reuters
  • RB Leipzig's Timo Werner celebrates scoring their third goal against Cologne. Reuters
    RB Leipzig's Timo Werner celebrates scoring their third goal against Cologne. Reuters
  • Timo Werner controls the ball during the Bundesliga match between RB Leipzig and Hertha Berlin. AFP
    Timo Werner controls the ball during the Bundesliga match between RB Leipzig and Hertha Berlin. AFP
  • Timo Werner celebragtes with teammates after scoring against Hertha Berlin. AFP
    Timo Werner celebragtes with teammates after scoring against Hertha Berlin. AFP
  • SC Paderborn's Anthony Evans, right, in action against RB Leipzig's Timo Werner. AP
    SC Paderborn's Anthony Evans, right, in action against RB Leipzig's Timo Werner. AP
  • Paderborns Jamilu Collins against RB Leipzigs Timo Werner, right. PA
    Paderborns Jamilu Collins against RB Leipzigs Timo Werner, right. PA
  • Timo Werner of RB Leipzig is tackled by Marlon Ritter SC Paderborn. Getty Images
    Timo Werner of RB Leipzig is tackled by Marlon Ritter SC Paderborn. Getty Images
  • Timo Werner reacts during the Bundesliga match between RB Leipzig and SC Paderborn. EPA
    Timo Werner reacts during the Bundesliga match between RB Leipzig and SC Paderborn. EPA

Timo Werner has 'qualities and killer instinct' to succeed at Chelsea, says Arsenal's Bernd Leno


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Arsenal goalkeeper Bernd Leno has said he would be "happy" to see international colleague Timo Werner join rivals Chelsea.

Werner, 24, is expected to complete a move to Chelsea this summer after the German striker agreed a five-year contract with the Premier League club. The Blues have reportedly matched the €55 million buyout clause in Werner's RB Leipzig contract.

"I get on very well with Timo. He is very welcome in London," Leno, 28, told Sky Sports Germany. "I would be happy for him, Chelsea is a great choice, no question about it.

"The Premier League is faster, more physical. But I think he’s good for it. Timo is an extremely fast player.

"With his qualities and killer instinct, I’m afraid I have to say, he could be strengthening Chelsea."

Werner, who came through the ranks at Stuttgart, is enjoying the most prolific season of his career having scored 25 goals in 31 Bundesliga appearances. He has also found the net four times in eight Champions League games.

While a completed deal to join Chelsea appears imminent, there remains some uncertainty over when Werner will join the club due to the delayed league campaigns in Germany and England.

The Bundesliga, which returned from the coronavirus lockdown in mid-May, is scheduled to conclude on June 27, while the revised final day of Premier League season – set to get underway on Wednesday - is expected to be in July 26.

However, Werner will not be a Leipzig player when next season starts, according to the club's manager Julian Nagelsmann.

"I do not expect Timo to be here next season," Nagelsmann told DAZN.

The signing of Werner will mark the second high-profile transfer for Chelsea manager Frank Lampard ahead of the 2020/21 campaign, following the signing of Ajax winger Hakim Ziyech in February.

The 27-year-old Morocco international has signed five-year contract after the Premier League club agreed a £40 million (Dh181.8m) fee with the Dutch champions.