Man Utd and Barcelona 'rival Liverpool for Timo Werner transfer as £51m deadline approaches'

Manchester United and Barcelona have reportedly already made official moves for Timo Werner - but the RB Leipzig star is holding out for a switch to Liverpool .

Werner, 23, has been linked with a move to Anfield and last week launched a charm offensive by talking up Reds manager Jurgen Klopp and his side.

The German striker has had a prolific season in the Bundesliga, scoring 21 goals in 23 games, and he has also netted four goals in the Champions League, including in last week's 1-0 victory against Tottenham .

It has been widely reported the in-demand striker would be available for a release clause of £51million as long as it is triggered by the end of April.

RB Leipzig's German striker Timo Werner has been linked with a Premier League move (IKIMAGES/AFP via Getty Images)

And now, with that deadline fast approaching, The Athletic has claimed that Werner's potential Leipzig exit is gathering pace.

The publication claims that Werner has already received offers from both Manchester United and Barcelona , who are keen to bolster their attacking ranks in the summer.

But Werner is waiting to see whether Liverpool make an official approach before making a decision on his long-term future.

The German forward was on target against Tottenham last week (Offside via Getty Images)

The German attacker is reluctant to join Barca, having seen Philippe Coutinho struggle since arriving at the Nou Camp, and United are no longer the European powerhouse they once were.

Werner, it is claimed, would prefer to link up with Klopp but one reservation is that he does not want to waste the prime years of his career sitting on the sidelines.

With Klopp boasting a front three of Mohamed Salah, Sadio Mane and Roberto Firmino, it is by no means guaranteed that Werner will walk into the first-team.

Ole Gunnar Solskjaer (L) and Jurgen Klopp are both in the hunt to sign Werner (Getty Images)

However with Salah and Mane both turning 28 this year, while Firmino will be 29 in October, Klopp is understood to be keen on adding a younger option to his frontline.

And a move may be helped by Klopp's relationship with Werner's agent Karlheinz Forster.

Forster is a former German defender, playing for Stuttgart and Marseille, and Klopp admired him as a player growing it up.

It is understood the pair have a good understanding and this may well prove crucial in discussions.