Leipzig set to part ways with Timo Werner as switch to MLS side draws close

According to the latest reports, RB Leipzig’s prolific forward Timo Werner is on the verge of sealing a move to Major League Soccer’s San Jose Earthquakes. 

The 29-year-old German international, known for his blistering pace and goal-scoring prowess, could soon trade the Bundesliga for the American West Coast, marking a new chapter in his illustrious career.

Sources confirm that negotiations are advancing rapidly, with Werner close to a full personal agreement with the Earthquakes.

 A clandestine meeting between Earthquakes representatives and Werner took place in Leipzig just weeks ago, laying the groundwork for this potential transfer. 

If completed in the January window, an agreement between the clubs is anticipated to be straightforward, allowing Leipzig to secure a transfer fee before Werner’s contract expires at season’s end.

Werner’s journey to this point has been eventful. Bursting onto the scene with VfB Stuttgart, he rose to stardom at RB Leipzig, where he netted 95 goals in 159 appearances during his first stint. 

His £47.5 million move to Chelsea in 2020 yielded mixed results, but he played a pivotal role in their 2021 Champions League triumph. 

Returning to Leipzig in 2022, Werner has struggled for consistent form, scoring just 18 goals in 64 games since. 

Now out of favor under manager Marco Rose, the attacker seeks a fresh start, and MLS offers an enticing platform with its growing global appeal and star-studded rosters.

Final details, including paperwork and a medical examination, are being ironed out. Reports indicate that the deal is essentially a formality, barring a last-minute change of heart from Werner himself.

For San Jose, who finished near the bottom of the Western Conference last season, Werner’s arrival as a designated player could inject much-needed firepower and international flair, potentially alongside talents like Cristian Espinoza.

This move underscores MLS’s rising ambition to attract top European talent in their prime, following the likes of Lionel Messi and Luis Suárez. Leipzig, meanwhile, stands to recoup funds for squad reinvestment. 

As the transfer window heats up, all eyes are on Werner’s decision, which could reshape both his career and the Earthquakes’ fortunes in 2026.