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Jeff Carlisle
Sources have revealed to ESPN that the San Jose Earthquakes are nearing an agreement to sign RB Leipzig forward Timo Werner.
While the deal is not yet finalized, sources indicate that it is “likely” that Werner will join the Earthquakes. If the transfer goes through, he will add to a San Jose attack that has seen the departure of both Cristian Espinoza and Josef Martínez, who collectively accounted for 18 goals and 14 assists last season and have both left via free agency.
If signed, Werner is expected to take on the role of Designated Player for the Earthquakes, who recently extended forward Cristian Arango‘s contract until December 2027.
At 29, Werner has only played three matches this season for Leipzig, totaling 13 minutes. He spent parts of the last two seasons on loan at Tottenham Hotspur, where he scored just three goals in 41 appearances across league and cup competitions.
Having been capped 57 times for Germany, Werner enjoyed his peak performance during a four-season span with Leipzig from 2016 to 2020, netting 95 goals in 159 appearances. He later joined Chelsea, where he scored 23 goals in 89 games across all competitions.
Werner kicked off his professional career with VfB Stuttgart in 2013, progressing through their youth system. He made his international debut for Germany in 2017, since scoring 24 goals and participating in the 2018 World Cup and Euro 2020.
The Athletic was the first outlet to report that Werner’s move to MLS is imminent.