Liverpool lead the race for German sensation

Kolkata, March 16: Liverpool are closing in on the signing of RB Leipzig striker Timo Werner, according to reports in England and Germany.

The Germany star, 22, ruled out any exits this summer amid interest from the Reds and Manchester United but reports are emerging that Liverpool are closing in on the German starlet who is set to lead the German attack in the World Cup.

Reports in Spain meanwhile claim that newly-acquired Barcelona star has assured his teammates that Werner will join his former club Liverpool in the summer.

Werner is also a target of Real Madrid, Barcelona's biggest rivals but as per Coutinho, Werner will be a Liverpool star next season.

Liverpool lost Coutinho to Barcelona in January with the Brazil international moving to the Nou Camp in a huge £142million deal.

As a result, La Liga rivals Real Madrid are set to strengthen massively with the club enduring a problematic season under Zinedine Zidane.

RB Leipzig star Werner has emerged as a target for Los Blancos with Karim Benzema set to be shown the door and Borja Mayoral yet to hit his stride.

However, Don Balon say Coutinho has told Barcelona players that Werner is likelier to be part of Liverpool’s squad for next season.

Liverpool agreed a £48million deal to sign Leipzig midfielder Naby Keita in August, with the player moving to Anfield at the end of the season. So, negotiations between the two clubs could prove to be difficult.

Werner, who has 17 goals in all competitions this season, previously admitted to wanting to play for Manchester United, the club he had supported since childhood.

He revealed he grew up watching both Sir Alex Ferguson's teams and Liverpool.

He said: "I would like to play for two or three clubs, and Manchester United are one of those clubs.

"But probably not in the next few years – later, when my English is a little bit better! I'm very comfortable at RB Leipzig.

"Manchester United and Liverpool were the teams I watched quite a lot in England.

They were the two that I'm a little bit a fan of, because they have so much history.

"When Alex Ferguson was the coach, United won everything and were outstanding."