X

WORLD FOOTBALL

    Barcelona Transfer News: Latest Rumours on Timo Werner and Dayot Upamecano

    Gill Clark@@gillclarkyX.com LogoFeatured Columnist INovember 1, 2017

    Leipzig´s forward Timo Werner celebrates scoring during the German dirst division Bundesliga football match between RB Leipzig and Eintracht Frankfurt in Leipzig, eastern Germany, on September 23, 2017. / AFP PHOTO / ROBERT MICHAEL / RESTRICTIONS: DURING MATCH TIME: DFL RULES TO LIMIT THE ONLINE USAGE TO 15 PICTURES PER MATCH AND FORBID IMAGE SEQUENCES TO SIMULATE VIDEO. == RESTRICTED TO EDITORIAL USE == FOR FURTHER QUERIES PLEASE CONTACT DFL DIRECTLY AT + 49 69 650050 (Photo credit should read ROBERT MICHAEL/AFP/Getty Images)
    ROBERT MICHAEL/Getty Images

    Barcelona reportedly scouted Red Bull Leipzig's Timo Werner and Dayot Upamecano during the club's 2-0 defeat to Bayern Munich on Saturday.

    The club's technical director Robert Fernandez took in the action at the Allianz Arena and has been "feeding back information on the duo to boss Ernesto Valverde," according to Mundo Deportivo (h/t Alex Smith at the Mirror).

    Centre-back Upamecano, still just 19, is seen as a long-term replacement for 30-year-old Gerard Pique.

    The France U-19 international played the whole 90 minutes against Bayern and, despite the defeat, may have impressed Fernandez, according to these statistics provided by FootballTalentScout:

    If Upamecano were to arrive, he would partner 24-year-old Samuel Umtiti in the heart of the defence, potentially a pairing that could serve the club for the long term.

    Umtiti has been in superb form this season, and it is difficult to find any defenders who have played better, according to Squawka Football's Muhammed Butt:

    Muhammad Butt @muhammadbutt

    @m7mdrahil @Squawka I'd like you to point to even five CB's playing better than Umtiti has been this season. man has been light's out.

    Barca also want Werner to replace 30-year-old Luis Suarez, who is enduring a difficult season at Camp Nou.

    Barcelona Transfer News: Latest Rumours on Timo Werner and Dayot Upamecano
    Video Play Button
    ✨ Watch more top videos, highlights, and B/R original content Right Arrow Icon

    The Uruguayan has managed just three goals this season and hit an all-time low during Tuesday's UEFA Champions League clash at Olympiakos, per Opta:

    OptaJose @OptaJose

    7 - Luis Suarez attempted more shots without scoring vs Olympiakos than in any other game for Barcelona (all competitions). Halloween. https://t.co/sxRtDkNbCw

    Werner, meanwhile, has five goals and an assist in eight Bundesliga outings this season, per WhoScored.com.

    Yet Barcelona may face competition for his services, with Bayern Munich manager Jupp Heynckes an admirer, per Goal:

    Goal UK @GoalUK

    He's been linked with Man Utd... And now Bayern boss Jupp Heynckes has said he will keep a “close eye” on RB Leipzig's Timo Werner. 💶 https://t.co/Sc2HnZmqsJ

    Suarez's current form will be a worry for Barcelona, as it has left them over-reliant on Lionel Messi for goals, particularly following Neymar's summer departure and Ousmane Dembele's long-term injury.

    While the club may not be lining up a replacement just yet, there is no doubt Werner has huge potential and is becoming a wanted man.

    Wener has also impressed at international level for Germany, and a strong showing at the 2018 FIFA World Cup in the summer may tempt Europe's top clubs to make a move.