Chelsea agree deal in principle to sign RB Leipzig striker Timo Werner

Timo Werner celebrates after scoring his team's first goal during the Bundesliga match between Hertha BSC and RB Leipzig at Olympiastadion in Berlin, Germany, November 3, 2018. /VCG

German striker Timo Werner, who is the top transfer target of several European powerhouses, has agreed to join Premier League giants Chelsea, according to multiple British media outlets.

Werner has a 55 million euro (67 million U.S. dollars) release clause which expires on June 15. The Sky Sports said Chelsea have offered a £200,000-a-week (252,051 U.S. dollars) contract to lure him to England.

Liverpool were at the front of the queue for Werner's signature and the 24-year-old is also willing to play under his compatriot Jurgen Klopp. But the Guardian revealed that the financial impact of the COVID-19 pandemic has forced the Premier League leaders to reconsider their transfer budget, allowing Chelsea to take control of the race to sign the sought-after talent.

Chelsea manager Frank Lampard's attacking options is set to be improved by the arrival of Timo Werner this summer. /VCG

Chelsea are free to sign new players in the January transfer window after a FIFA-imposed transfer ban was reduced on appeal by the Court of Arbitration for Sport. However, manager Frank Lampard has opted not to bring in any acquisitions in the winter, instead focusing on their main targets this summer.

Werner has netted 25 goals this season, four behind Bayern Munich's top-scorer Robert Lewandowski. He will be Chelsea's second major signing after Moroccan star Hakim Ziyech, who has agreed to join from Ajax on July 1.

Chelsea currently sit fourth in the league table and the Premier League is set to restart on Jun 17, three months after it was suspended due to the pandemic.