RB Leipzig boss Julian Nagelsmann has confirmed Timo Werner is poised to depart the club as Chelsea close in on their second summer signing.
The Blues are expected to wrap up Werner's signing this week as Frank Lampard, with his £53m release clause due to expire on Monday.
"I do not expect Timo to be here next season," Nagelsmann told DAZN at the weekend.
Werner will become the second man through the door at Chelsea this summer, following the signing of Hakim Ziyech from Ajax which was confirmed in February.
It is set up to be a busy window for the Blues, with Lampard also growing in confidence that a cut-price deal for Leicester full-back Ben Chilwell can be agreed.
The coronavirus pandemic has slowed Werner's move to Chelsea, with the logistics of completing a medical with restrictions in place proving a minor road-bump. But there are now positive noises on both sides as the 24-year-old closes in on his transfer.
Werner has scored 25 goals in 30 Bundesliga starts this term and his arrival marks the latest big play in what is expected to be a significant summer of transfer activity for Chelsea.
Lampard is reportedly keen to offload several fringe players to help fund his shopping spree, while Chelsea's transfer inactivity over the past 18 months stands them in good stead to spend this summer despite the financial strain brought about by the Covid-19 pandemic.
