RB Leipzig boss: The surroundings must be right for Werner
RB Leipzig boss Ralf Rangnick says having the right surroundings is important for Bayern München and Liverpool target Timo Werner who is yet to make a decision on his future.
RB Leipzig are eager to keep Timo Werner who has been told that he must make a decision on his future before the end of the season. But the star striker is stalling on a new contract amid interest from the likes of Bayern München and Liverpool.
Speaking to Sky, RB Leipig sporting director and head coach Ralf Rangnick has advised Werner not to underestimate the importance of having surroundings that he thrives with.
For example, Rangnick says, Naby Keita, who left RB Leipzig to join Liverpool in a €60 million deal last summer, hasn't been able to reproduce his performances of the Bundesliga in England until now.
"Keita was an outstanding player here, but he's still struggling in Liverpool. So far, he's not the player there that he was here. The surroundings must be right for Timo. That's the case here," Rangnick told Sky.
"We have gone to our financial limit with our offer. We know that he can earn more elsewhere, but he can also provide for himself for the rest of his life here. The financial aspect will not be the decisive factor, but rather the sporting perspective."
"We're trying to keep him. He knows he's very popular in the team, with the coach and the fans. He's a top player, and he has become one of the most exciting Bundesliga strikers in the country. He still has one and a half year left of his contract, and I hope that he'll stay. But in the end, it's up to him," Rangnick said.
Werner, 22, joined RB Leipzig from VfB Stuttgart in 2016. The striker's contract runs until 2020.