Traore’s update suggests Liverpool didn’t make Werner mistake

Liverpool were hot on the heels of RB Leipzig forward Timo Werner and were expected to snap up the 24-year-old, but the Germany international will instead sign for Chelsea

The Reds were in hot pursuit of Timo Werner and appeared certain to snap up the Germany international once the summer transfer window swung open.

Jurgen Klopp was keen, and Werner made sure the world knew he was on board.

“Yes I know that Liverpool is the best team in the world at the moment. When you’re linked with that team it makes you very proud but in case of that, it’s a pleasure, but I know Liverpool have a lot of good players,” Werner said.

“I have to improve myself and to learn much more things to get on this level and to play there.”

But the predicted effects of the coronavirus pandemic were proven to be already at play when Liverpool were forced to pull the plug.

The European champions, and Premier League champions elect couldn’t justify a £50million outlay – not so soon after putting 200 non-playing staff on furlough before revising the decision.

Chelsea swooped as Liverpool hesitated and the Blues are now in advanced talks with the RB Leipzig forward.

The Stamford Bridge club are expected to trigger Werner’s £50m release clause this week to finalise the deal.

According to the CIES Football Observatory transfer value list, Werner’s accurate market value is a cool £80.5m right now.

This suggests that Liverpool have got themselves a bargain, and that Frank Lampard and co. have really got one over on the Reds.

But judging by information from the same study, Liverpool may be on to something.

Now that Werner is out of the question, the Reds have turned their attention to Wolves forward Adama Traore.

Traore is proven in the Premier League, and Klopp previously referred to the forward as “unplayable” following his man of the match display in Liverpool’s hard-fought 2-1 win at Molineux.

Reds left-back Andy Robertson, meanwhile, admitted the former Barcelona forward “ripped me apart” in the very same game.

Liverpool are looking at the forward as a cheaper alternative to Werner, and the aforementioned study suggests they might be right.

While Chelsea appear to have saved themselves £30m by triggering Werner’s release clause, Liverpool may be able to pay much less than the £50m the Blues were required to spend.

That’s because the study, which takes into account a number of variables including a player’s age, ability, form and contract length, values Traore at somewhere between £27million and £36million post-coronavirus pandemic.

Whether Liverpool will be able to snap up Traore for a figure between these two numbers remains to be seen.

But the Reds will be encouraged by the Spaniard’s rave review of the Reds following Liverpool’s win over Wolves earlier in the season.

“We don’t forget they are a great team, an amazing team and one of the best – or the best in Europe,” said Traore. “Congratulations to them, how they are going in the league, but we fight. We will fight to the end.”

Pundits have already started talking about Liverpool’s chances of signing Traore as an alternative to Werner as he possess much of the same attributes.

Liverpool are known for their fast and aggressive counter-attacking style of play.

read also:Man Utd, Chelsea get Timo Werner transfer boost

And as Alex Bruce pointed out that Traore posses incredible power and speed, and also has a great end product.

Bruce told Football Insider: “It wouldn’t surprise me if someone like him is bought by Liverpool because he’s got such good assets.