Manchester United boost as Liverpool pull out of race for Werner

Liverpool have pulled out of the race to sign RB Leipzig striker Timo Werner this summer, claims The Daily Mirror.

There is a £50m release clause active in Werner's current Leipzig deal this summer and the Germany international has reportedly made it clear he wants to join Liverpool.

Interest from Manchester United, Chelsea and Bayern Munich has been knocked back by the Leipzig star in order to secure a move to Anfield.

However, the coronavirus pandemic has thrown his future into doubt, with Liverpool refusing to pay anything more than £30m for the 24-year-old.

Liverpool predict severe financial implications as a result of COVID-19 and are even prepared to let Werner join one of their rivals this summer.

Jurgen Klopp's side are willing to go through the summer without making any significant signings but believe it will put them in a stronger financial position in the future.

With Liverpool no longer in the race to sign Werner, it leaves United and Chelsea with a chance to prise the Bundesliga striker from Leipzig.

However, Werner could end up staying at Leipzig for another season before trying to engineer a move to Liverpool next year.

Werner scored his third hat-trick of the Bundesliga campaign at the weekend to join Leo Messi as the only other player in Europe's top five leagues with a hat-trick of trebles in 2019/20.