Timo Werner was reportedly swayed by the bigger wage packet on offer at Chelsea after Manchester United made a move to sign the Germany forward.
Werner has agreed a contract worth around £200,000 a week at Stamford Bridge, and will link up with his new club ahead of next season after the Blues triggered the RB Leipzig star's £53million release clause.
Many had expected the 24-year-old to join Liverpool this summer after the Reds made their interest in him clear, and Werner is also thought to have declared that Anfield was his preferred destination.
However, the effect of the coronavirus crisis on the Reds' finances saw them back away from a deal, allowing Chelsea to swoop in.
Sky Germany report that United were also interested in a move for Werner, who was swayed by the more 'financially lucrative' offer on the table from Frank Lampard's men, who are able to draw on greater cash reserves having sold Eden Hazard last summer and not made any new additions due to their transfer ban.
In explaining Liverpool's reasons for backing out of the deal, Jurgen Klopp told Sky Germany : "All clubs are losing money.
"How do I discuss with the players about things like salary waivers and on the other hand buy a player for £50-60m — we’d have to explain.
"If you want to take it seriously and run a normal business you depend on income.
"And we have no idea how much the club will earn — especially because we don’t know when we can start playing in front of spectators again.
"At the moment, without spectators, we have to pay back on season tickets and probably sell none next year. At least maybe the first 10 or 15 games. VIP areas won’t be packed and tickets won’t be sold."
