Chelsea have overtaken Liverpool in the race to sign Timo Werner from RB Leipzig with positive talks taking place this week between the Blues and Bundesliga club that could see a deal confirmed in the coming days.
Sources have told football.london that there is now a "high probability" that the Blues will activate the Germany striker's €55million release clause before it expires on June 15.
Liverpool last week indicated that they would not be meeting that price despite the striker favouring a move to Anfield.
As a result Chelsea have become more forceful in their pursuit of the prolific goalscorer, who is keen on Stamford Bridge despite the initial preference to work under Jurgen Klopp, and are close to reaching an agreement.
While Bild have reported that a deal is done and that Werner will sign a five-year deal worth €10million a year, football.london has been told that there have been positive negotiations but outstanding details must still be agreed.
Werner has been monitored by Chelsea's scouting department for several months and there were links during a January transfer window in which Frank Lampard was left deeply frustrated by their inability to strengthen in attacking areas.
While Jadon Sancho and Kai Havertz have also been watched closely, their asking prices of more than double Werner's release clause have been viewed as prohibitive.
Werner, who can play out wide as well as a central striker and false nine, has scored 25 league goals for Leipzig this season and only trails Bayern Munich's Robert Lewandowski in the race to finish as Germany's top scorer.
His agent, Karlheinz Forster, has also been pictured in Leipzig this week with negotiations intensifying.
Chelsea have already agreed a deal to sign the Moroccan star Hakim Ziyech from Ajax in the next transfer window, a deal that was brokered in February to the surprise of many.
