Timo Werner salary demands threaten New York Red Bulls transfer with MLS club offering just half of what RB Leipzig outcast wants after dire loan at Tottenham

Werner’s proposed transfer to New York Red Bulls is on the verge of collapse due to excessive salary demands from his agent, Volker Struth. According to Leipziger Volkszeitung, Struth has asked for €10 million (£8m/$11m) annually and a two-year contract, significantly more than what the MLS team are willing to pay. NYRB had budgeted the same total amount for the entire duration of the deal, not per season.

Werner, under contract at RB Leipzig until 2026, is not part of coach Ole Werner’s plans as the club pushes to downsize and cut wage expenses. After a disappointing loan spell at Tottenham, the German striker returned to Leipzig but is surplus to requirements. Leipzig are keen to offload the 29-year-old and hoped a move within the Red Bull football network to New York would be straightforward.

The forward is reportedly open to a move to MLS, partly to reunite with former team-mate Emil Forsberg and to settle in a city beloved by his wife, Paula. However, salary expectations have become a major stumbling block.

Werner currently earns around €10m per year at RB Leipzig. Red Bulls had hoped to match that total across a two-year deal, effectively halving his annual pay. Struth’s counter-demand has caused the MLS side to pull back from negotiations. Leipzig previously secured €60m (£51m/$65m) for Werner from Chelsea in 2020 and are now struggling to find any club willing to match his current wages, despite being willing to offload him for a cut-price fee.

With talks with New York Red Bulls at a standstill, Leipzig continue to search for other suitors. Werner’s options remain limited, with no serious offers from Europe at this stage. Unless wage demands are lowered, Leipzig risk being stuck with the out-of-favour forward for another season on a high salary. Red Bull CEO Oliver Mintzlaff is expected to have the final say on whether the deal can be revived.