Real Madrid will be in the market for some forward help in the coming transfer windows, but where does Timo Werner rank among their options?
Last season, striker Karim Benzema was the only Real Madrid player with more than five goals in La Liga, but even he struggled to put in more than a couple of goals during the final 10 games of the 2019-2020 season.
Therefore, it comes as no surprise that Real Madrid are expected to target the forward positions more heavily than others in the coming transfer windows. Whether Real can afford to make any signings in 2020 remains to be seen, and their top priorities in 2021 will clearly be Erling Haaland and Kylian Mbappe at striker and wide forward, respectively. (Though Mbappe can also excel as an out-and-out No. 9.)
However, Timo Werner is reportedly a player on Real’s – as well as rivals FC Barcelona’s – wishlist as a backup plan to the likes of Mbappe and Haaland.
Werner may be a “backup plan” to Los Blancos in comparison to Mbappe and Haaland, but he is no slouch in front of goal either. Already a Bundesliga star prior to Julian Nagelsmann’s appointment at RB Leipzig for the 2019-2020 season, Werner exploded under the former TSG Hoffenheim manager’s tutelage.
In 2019-2020, Werner became a more lethal striker and a more complete player. His assists in the Bundesliga shot up to seven, while he provided a whopping 26 goals across the Champions League and Bundesliga.
There’s no doubt that Werner is behind Mbappe and Haaland when it comes to Real’s ideal forward targets beyond the 2020-2021 season. He’s a few years older than both and not nearly as technically gifted as either.
However, what Werner lacks in physical strength, he more than makes up for in pace by being even faster than both Mbappe and Haaland. He’s also nearly as clinical and more adept at passing than both, with the latter being an advantage over Haaland.
And when compared to the other possible forward options for Real Madrid, Werner is indeed the ideal “backup plan” to Haaland and Mbappe.
He’s cheaper and more reliable than Harry Kane. And honestly, he’s probably better at this stage. Werner is more prove and cheaper than Inter’s Lautaro Martinez. He’s younger than Pierre Emerick-Aubameyang. Raul Jimenez doesn’t stand a chance statistically when comparing him to Werner and neither does Victor Osimhen. Mauro Icardi? He’s fantastic, but Werner is both younger and more versatile than PSG’s most recent star striker.
Werner, when looking at his 21 Bundesliga goals and improving tactical awareness, is indeed the third-best option on Real Madrid’s list of rumored forward targets. He brings pace, finishing, versatility, and growing upside to the table. Los Blancos may not be able to sign him, but with Werner ambitious to sign for a big club outside of Germany, Florentino Perez shouldn’t stop pursuing the Leipzig superstar.