New York Red Bulls Eye Timo Werner Transfer
The New York Red Bulls are currently exploring the possibility of acquiring forward Timo Werner from RB Leipzig. The 29-year-old German international, who has played 57 times for his national team, has spent the last year and a half on loan at Tottenham Hotspur. However, he is no longer in Leipzig’s plans and is expected to be granted a transfer during the summer window. While no formal agreement has been established yet, both parties remain hopeful that they can finalize the deal soon.
Interest in Major League Soccer
Interestingly, Werner has been on the Red Bulls’ radar for quite some time, having been previously linked with the club for a potential move in the summer of 2024. Sources indicate that discussions regarding this transfer have been ongoing for several months, and Werner himself is reportedly interested in a switch to Major League Soccer (MLS), where he would have the opportunity to play alongside former RB Leipzig teammate Emil Forsberg.
Werner’s Career Highlights
A versatile wide forward, Werner made his mark at Leipzig after arriving from Stuttgart in 2016, where he scored 78 goals in 127 Bundesliga matches. His impressive performances earned him a transfer to Chelsea in 2020, where he contributed to the club’s Champions League victory in 2021. In 2022, he returned to Leipzig, which was coincidentally the year they captured the DFB-Pokal, marking their first major trophy. However, after losing favor with the coaches at Red Bull Arena, he joined Tottenham on loan in January 2024, extending that loan for an additional year during which he helped the Spurs claim the Europa League title under manager Ange Postecoglou.
Red Bulls’ Current Season and Strategy
The Red Bulls, who reached the MLS Cup for the first time since 2008 last season before losing to LA Galaxy, made an offseason acquisition by bringing in Eric Maxim Choupo-Moting as their new starting striker. With Werner potentially joining the ranks, he would likely slot into the left wing position, complementing Lewis Morgan on the right and the creative playmaking of Forsberg in a three-pronged attack. As of the midpoint of the 2025 season, the Red Bulls find themselves in 7th place in the Eastern Conference, just on the brink of the playoff spots.
Negotiation Considerations
An important consideration in these negotiations is whether New York holds Werner’s “discovery rights,” a rule in MLS intended to streamline the acquisition of players from other leagues. If the Red Bulls need to secure these rights from another team, they are in a favorable position financially, with approximately $1.7 million in allocation money available as of the end of February.
