[The Athletic] For much of last season, Werner’s Plan A was LFC, & Plan B 1 final season w/ Leipzig. He grew more anxious as his June 15 release clause deadline drew near. At seasons end he wanted to browse properties in Merseyside and go on holiday w/ his future settled. (1/7)

[The Athletic] Werner wanted to avoid last summer's events where his move to Bayern collapsed.

He gave LFC a deadline to make a decision on if they would meet his release clause. Klopp consulted FSG then called Werner to explain why the move would not happen. (2/7)

[The Athletic] Sources say that the Liverpool manager insisted the reasoning was purely financial, rather than any negative reflection on the player or his proposed role in Klopp’s squad. Werner accepted the explanation and the two men remain on good terms. (3/7)

[The Athletic] FSG do not take money from LFC but expect it to live within its means. The message from Anfield is that no major signings would be made. When they reversed furloughs in April, Peter Moore warned of “unprecedented operating losses” as a result of the pandemic. (4/7)

[The Athletic] Werner then re-opened talks w/ Man Utd & Chelsea. Both made their interests known earlier, w/ OGS meeting Werner in Berlin in February before meeting w/ Klopp. United, however, made it clear they would only be meet the clause if they found a buyer for Pogba. (5/7)

[The Athletic] Chelsea's director Marina Granovskaia said they would pay the clause. Lampard called Timo to explain his fit into the club’s future plans. During 2 long phone calls, he warmed to the idea of working under another admiring coach and w/ a promising young squad. (6/7)

[The Athletic] Leipzig initially supported his plans to join LFC or stay for 1 yr, mindful of the fact his release clause went to €40m in 2021 and €25m in 2022. However, FFP became an issue and the club explained to Werner that he must leave now for the good of the club. (7/7)

There’s a lot to unpack here, a lot of different sides w/ different angles/interests, thought I’d share.