Tottenham are in pole position to land the Germany striker Timo Werner on loan from RB Leipzig, as Ange Postecoglou seeks to add more firepower to his front line.
Postecoglou, who took over as Spurs manager in December, is eager to make his mark on the squad and has made central defence and attack his main areas of focus. The Australian coach has been impressed by Werner’s speed, work rate, and versatility, and believes he can fit into his high-pressing system.
Spurs are in need of more options up front, as they will be without their talisman Son Heung-min for at least a month due to the Asian Cup. The South Korean star has scored 15 goals in 20 games this season, and his absence will be a huge blow for the north London club. Additionally, Alejo Véliz, the Argentine winger who joined Spurs from River Plate in the summer, is sidelined with a knee injury.
Werner, who spent two seasons at Chelsea before returning to Germany, has struggled to recapture his best form this term. The 27-year-old has netted only two goals in eight league games for Leipzig, and has fallen out of favour with the new manager Jesse Marsch. Werner has also been linked with a move to Manchester United, but Spurs are confident they can beat their rivals to his signature.
Werner joined Chelsea from Leipzig for £47.5m in 2020, after scoring 34 goals in 45 games in his final season in the Bundesliga. However, he failed to live up to the expectations at Stamford Bridge, scoring just 10 goals in 56 league games. Werner was part of the Chelsea squad that won the Champions League last year, but he was often criticised for his poor finishing and lack of confidence.
Despite his recent struggles, Werner remains a proven goalscorer at the highest level. He has scored 16 goals in 43 games for Germany, and was part of the team that reached the semi-finals of Euro 2020. Werner has also won four major trophies in his career, including the German Cup and the UEFA Super Cup.
Postecoglou is also keen to sign Radu Dragusin, the Genoa centre-back who has been on his radar for a while. The 20-year-old Romanian has impressed with his performances in Serie A, and has attracted interest from several clubs across Europe. Postecoglou sees Dragusin as a long-term replacement for Toby Alderweireld, who left Spurs for Al-Duhail in Qatar last summer.
Postecoglou is determined to complete his deals early in January, as he aims to steer Spurs to a top-four finish and a return to the Champions League. Spurs are currently sixth in the Premier League, four points behind fourth-placed West Ham. Postecoglou has won four of his six games in charge, and has received praise for his attacking style of play.