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Timo Werner could become a target for Bayern Munich if they lose Robert Lewandowski or fail to sign Erling Haaland next summer, according to reports in Germany.

Werner was tipped for big things when arriving at Chelsea from RB Leipzig last summer. However, the transfer hasn’t really worked out for him. His goal and assist tallies from his debut season were respectable, but not of the level Chelsea thought they were paying for.

They resisted the idea of cutting their losses on him after just one year, but should his struggles continue, a transfer away may be under consideration next summer. In fact, one suitor is already becoming a clear candidate to sign him.

According to Sport1, Bayern Munich have a 70 per cent chance of signing Werner next year. In fact, he is in “regular contact” with their coach Julian Nagelsmann, who previously got the best out of him at Leipzig.

The new Bayern boss has already reunited with a couple of players he worked with at his former club. Dayot Upamecano and Marcel Sabitzer followed him to the Allianz Arena this summer, namely. Although Werner has taken a detour via Chelsea, he too could make a similar move next year.

Following the club-record addition of Romelu Lukaku to Chelsea’s attack this summer, Werner is not a guaranteed starter. Even before Lukaku returned, the German was not the obvious first-choice. But he is still getting goals at international level – scoring in both of Germany’s games in the current break so far – and could choose to continue his club career in his home country.

The only obstacle for Bayern would be his €15m annual salary. In addition, a move would hinge on what happens with Lewandowski or Haaland.

Lewandowski has established himself as one of the world’s best players during his time with Bayern. However, he is keeping the idea of a new challenge elsewhere in the back of his mind. If he leaves, they would need an adequate replacement.

The dream solution would be Haaland, whose scoring record for Bundesliga rivals Borussia Dortmund has been phenomenal. The Norway international will be the subject of a transfer scramble next summer, when a release clause in his contract will be active.

Bayern have built a dynasty upon plucking top talent from rivals in their league, so could aim to repeat that strategy with Haaland.

But there will be several rivals for his signature, whereas there may be a clearer – and cheaper – path to Werner.

What’s more, Werner is represented by the same agency as Nagelsmann, Upamecano and another Bayern player, Niklas Sule. They may well be pushing him towards Bavaria.

The update on the Chelsea man concludes a report on seven German internationals Bayern could be looking to sign. Kai Havertz, Werner’s Chelsea teammate, is also mentioned, but is only given a five per cent chance of making a transfer. In contrast, of the septet, Werner is the one they rate with the highest probability of joining the Bundesliga champions.

But there are clearly conditions that would need to be in place beforehand. Besides, there is plenty of time for him to turn his Chelsea form around if given the opportunity.

His contract at Stamford Bridge will run until 2025.

Werner rejected summer Chelsea exit

Chelsea lost a couple of strikers over the summer to make room for Lukaku. Tammy Abraham joined Roma and Olivier Giroud also moved to Italy with AC Milan.

But Werner remained in Thomas Tuchel’s squad, despite having an Italian admirer of his own.

Bild journalist Christian Falk revealed that Inter Milan showed an interest in Werner to fill their Lukaku-shaped void.

However, Werner decided to stay in London and fight for his place in a blue shirt.

He will thus be hoping he can steal some gametime from Lukaku, or potentially play alongside him.

But if things do not take much of a turn for the better in the coming months, an exit may be back on the agenda for the 25-year-old.

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