Five World-Class RB Leipzig players Chelsea could target in Timo Werner transfer swap

Will Chelsea be able to get an additional benefit in from a potential Timo Werner departure?

The £47.5million man has failed to make the expected impact over his two-year stay at the club to date, but his exit would mean one less attacking option for Thomas Tuchel. The relationship between the pair had been good up till recently but comments made from the player about his future seems to have agitated his fellow countryman.

"I'm surprised, I would be very happy as a young guy having a contract at Chelsea Football Club," Tuchel responded.“I would be one of the happiest people on the planet."

Since these comments came out, there have been mixed reports over the 26-year-old's future. It is clear that Tuchel isn't keen on letting the versatile forward go without a replacement amid rumours he could block the move personally himself if new owner Todd Boehly wasn't to deliver on his promises.

Regardless of whatever happens, the indications are that an exit, whether on loan or permanent, is inevitable at this point with a reunion at the Red Bull ran club 'warming up', according to Sky Germany's Florian Plettenberg.

Sport Bild have even reported that Werner himself is willing to follow Romelu Lukaku's footsteps in taking a hefty pay cut to force through an exit. There have even been indications from Gianluca Di Marzio that the Blues have internally discussed a swap deal option, although for whom remains unknown.

Therefore, football.london takes a look at five players Chelsea could target in swap deal talks if they were to progress further than the predicted and most likely loan option.

Josko Gvardiol

Other than Christopher Nkunku, who would have been the most obvious option before the Frenchman decided to sign a new contract, the Croatian defender is someone who is of interest to Chelsea regardless of this Werner deal.

The 20-year-old, who had really alerted the top European clubs with his performances during the 2021/22 season, is on a list of potential defensive targets for the Blues with the likes of Milan Skriniar, Pau Torres and Wesley Fofana.

What has been the sticking point so far is Leipzig's reluctance to allow a player they value at around £50million leave after just one season as he joined the Bundesliga club from Dinamo Zagreb in July 2021.

Gvardiol has four years left to run on his contract, meaning Chelsea would have to pay up on top of Werner if they want to sign the emerging talent.

Dani Olmo

Chelsea are in desperate need of attacking reinforcements as the same problems have existed in pre-season with chance creation and most importantly, putting them away.

With the exception of the two Udinese games, the Blues have struggled and with Werner plus the likes of Hakim Ziyech and Christian Pulisic contemplating their futures, more attacking like-minded players may be needed to help out the likes of Mason Mount and others carry the burden.

Step forward Spanish international Dani Olmo and his 33 goal involvements from the 5,539 minutes he has played in the red and white of Leipzig could prove handy for Tuchel's side.

With only two years left on his deal, the 24-year-old is valued by Transfermarkt at around £36million, meaning he is definitely attainable if an approach was made during these Werner talks.

Angelino

Chelsea's need for new defenders is already well known, with the top priority currently improving the backline that has been partially dismantled since Antonio Rudiger and Andreas Christensen have left.

Both Marcos Alonso and Cesar Azpilicueta want to depart before the September 1 deadline passes. This means that new central defenders and full-back reinforcements are required if Tuchel was to give the green light to this double Barcelona raid.

Angelino not only has Premier League experience with Man City, but his versatility could appeal to the Chelsea boss. His current deal in Germany runs out in three years' time with a £27million valuation.

The Spaniard is known to have a good discipline record too, demonstrated by the mere 10 yellow cards he has picked up in the 98 outings he has made to date for RB Leipzig.

Konrad Laimer

The Austrian midfielder has attracted interest from Man United this summer.

With only one year left on his contract, the Blues could take a punt on a player who was one of Leipzig's standout performer's last term.

He wouldn't cost a lot of money but the need for new midfielders could be great this time next season if both Jorginho and N'Golo Kante aren't to extend their current contracts.