Barcelona have approached the agent of Chelsea striker Timo Werner to discuss a January transfer to Camp Nou for the reported Newcastle United target, according to Sport.
Xavi Hernandez wants the Blaugrana to sign an attacker in the winter sales after replacing Ronald Koeman at the helm. The Barcelona icon feels the Catalan outfit need to improve their goal threat after only scoring four times during his first three games in charge.
Barcelona believe their best solutions run through Chelsea and have held talks over Werner and Hakim Ziyech’s situations. Thomas Tuchel won’t stand in either player’s way if they want to leave Stamford Bridge in search of more regular game time and bigger roles.
Tuchel worried Barcelona when he started both Werner and Ziyech against Manchester United on Sunday. Yet the Blues are happy for the German and Moroccan forwards to leave, and could even cover some of their wages during a loan transfer for the rest of the season.
Barcelona first approached Chelsea to discuss Werner’s situation in October and have now talked to his agent. ESPN also cited Xavi’s interest in the 25-year-old last month.
The Blaugrana won’t finalise their plans for Werner or Ziyech until Xavi decides who suits his ideas best. The German is more of a versatile forward, while the latter is a pure winger.
Barcelona to deal Newcastle blow if Xavi favours Werner transfer
Xavi favouring a move to sign Werner from Chelsea in the January transfer window would be a blow to Newcastle and their own plans for the £272,000-a-week striker.
In October, Bild journalist Christian Falk claimed the Magpies were interested in adding the forward to their squad. He has struggled to establish a key role in south-west London since joining the Blues when they triggered his £45m release clause at RB Leipzig in 2020.
Werner has only started 52 of his 64 appearances across all competitions from a possible 80 games so far. He has only scored 15 goals and provided 17 assists in those outings.
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