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Liverpool's owners felt signing RB Leipzig forward Timo Werner would prove too costly, paving the way for Chelsea to make a move, according to a report in Germany.
Werner has been in sensational form for Leipzig this campaign, scoring 31 goals in all competitions this season, leading to interest from some of the Premier League's biggest clubs.
Several reports on Thursday have claimed that the Germany international has agreed on personal terms on a £200,000-a-week contract with Chelsea as he looks set to move to west London.
Werner was widely considered to be joining Liverpool either this summer or next, with the Germany international having reportedly narrowed his options down to just two.
The forward was described as 'absolutely desperate' to move to Anfield, while Jurgen Klopp was said to have tried to persuade Liverpool's board to match his £52.75 million release clause.
However, German publication Bild (via The Metro) now claim that Liverpool's owners decided that the move would prove too costly with huge uncertainty surrounding club finances due to the pandemic.
The report adds that Leipzig were not open to the idea of spreading the payments or Liverpool's plea to lower the asking price.
ESPN said on Thursday that the promise of 'more game-time' at Stamford Bridge – a factor Liverpool could not guarantee – was key to Chelsea's pitch.
- TEAMtalk media
