Official: Chelsea sign Werner from Leipzig - Highest earner and most expensive German

The transfer of Timo Werner from RB Leipzig to Chelsea is a done deal, as the English club announced on Thursday morning. The 24-year-old has signed a contract until 2025 with the Blues. According to Bild, the fee amounts to €53 million. As a result, the forward would surpass Leroy Sané as the most expensive German footballer in history – the former Schalke talent joined Manchester City for €52 million in 2016.

Chelsea have beaten Premier League rivals Liverpool and Man City to Werner’s signature. The German will become the highest earner at his new club with annual wages of “over €10 million”, according to the newspaper. Until now, Kepa and N'Golo Kanté were considered to be on the highest salaries at Stamford Bridge, earning an estimated £7.8 million (€8.7 million) a year each.

Head coach Frank Lampard has reportedly convinced Werner in personal talks and phone calls over the last few weeks. In front of the coronavirus shutdown, the former player was in Leipzig to hold talks with the Germany international.

Werner on signing for Chelsea: “Have a very successful future ahead of us”

Werner said: “I am delighted to be signing for Chelsea, it is a very proud moment for me to be joining this great club. I of course want to thank RB Leipzig, the club and the fans, for four fantastic years. You will forever be in my heart. I look forward to next season with my new team-mates, my new manager and of course the Chelsea fans. Together we have a very successful future ahead of us.”

Blues director Marina Granovskaia added: “We are very excited that Timo Werner has chosen to join Chelsea. He is a player who was coveted all over Europe and it is no surprise, he has that rare mix of being young and exciting and yet established and proven. We can’t wait to have Timo on board, but until then we wish him and RB Leipzig all the best for the rest of this season.”

Only five players more expensive than Werner - Chelsea's record signings