Timo Werner Trade: RB Leipzig Cleared for San Jose Earthquakes Move

It’s time for a “change.”

Timo Werner is on his way to the San Jose Earthquakes. Transfermarkt has confirmed through multiple sources that the 29-year-old former German international is set to finalize a deal with the Major League Soccer club. Reports indicate that RB Leipzig has granted Werner permission to negotiate with a new team. The initial interest from the Earthquakes was reported by German outlet Bild back in December. More recently, The Athletic and Fabrizio Romano have stated that a deal is imminent, with Werner signing on as a Designated Player.

“He has always acted professionally and correctly,” said Leipzig’s sporting director, Marcel Schäfer, in an interview with Sky before the winter break. “Despite this, I believe he is seeking more playing time, and we’ve discussed that it may be time for a change.” With Leipzig facing numerous injuries, Werner was limited to bench appearances during recent matches, including a 3-1 loss to Union Berlin and Bayer Leverkusen, totaling just 12 minutes of play this season.

Having burst onto the scene with RB Leipzig in the 2016/17 season, Werner quickly became one of Europe’s most sought-after forward talents. After an impressive 2019/20 season, where he netted 28 goals in 34 Bundesliga matches, he transferred to Chelsea for €53 million. During his tenure at Chelsea, he contributed 23 goals and 21 assists in 89 competitive matches, securing a Champions League title in 2021. However, despite his scoring capabilities, Werner struggled for consistent playing time and returned to Leipzig in 2022.

Timo Werner: What Went Wrong at Leipzig?

In retrospect, the return to Leipzig proved ill-fated. He managed a mere nine goals and four assists in 27 appearances during the 2022/23 season, marking the peak of his disappointments. In the following season, he transferred back to the Premier League, signing with Tottenham, where he again struggled, totaling only three goals and seven assists in 41 matches. Much of Werner’s decline can be attributed to his early return to Leipzig, where the team had evolved, bringing in faster, more versatile players, leaving him struggling to adapt.

Hope lingered that his move to Tottenham might rejuvenate his confidence and scoring touch, but it did not result in the desired outcomes. After completing a loan at the London club, he was not included in the plans of new Leipzig coach Ole Werner. Leipzig is undergoing a full rebuild after failing to qualify for European competition for the first time since their promotion to the Bundesliga in the 2016/17 season, and the club has since acquired young, dynamic forwards like Yan Diomande, Conrad Harder, and Johan Bakayoko.

Facing a substantial salary for Werner, Leipzig sought to offload him, and Transfermarkt understands that they won’t receive a significant transfer fee for a player who ranks among Germany’s top five most expensive signings in history. A potential transfer to sister club New York Red Bulls was blocked by the player. However, with his market prospects looking bleak, Werner has now accepted an offer to join the Earthquakes as a Designated Player. In San Jose, he will be expected to fill the gap left by the productive Josef Martínez and Cristian Espinoza. This could be a pivotal moment for Werner, as it represents a final opportunity to revive a once-promising career.