Report reveals why Chelsea ditched Aubameyang deal for Werner

Chelsea changed their top striker target from Arsenal’s Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang to RB Leipzig’s Timo Werner this summer, according to reports.

Chelsea stole a march on Liverpool to negotiate a five-year, £200,000-a-week contract with Werner earlier this week.

Frank Lampard was key in persuading the German to join by revealing a ‘three-year plan’ to return the Stamford Bridge club to Premier League glory.

MAILBOX: Trusting Klopp to have an alternative to Werner…

Oliver Mintzlaff, managing director of the Bundesliga club, says they have not yet heard from Chelsea, but the negotiations are expected to be held early this week with the Blues yet to agree a fee with Leipzig.

However, The Athletic’s Ornstein & Chapman podcast (via The Metro) claim that Arsenal striker Aubameyang was their top target before the club switched priorities to Werner.

Lampard and Petr Cech put effort into convincing Chelsea’s board to sign Aubameyang, who is entering the final year of his contract at Arsenal, but the Blues’ hierarchy refused to budge.

The Chelsea board were concerned about the lack of re-sale value because of the 30-year-old’s age and decided they wanted to bring in a younger striker.

The report adds that despite Werner not being at the top of Lampard’s list, he is willing to give him a key role when he arrives at Stamford Bridge.