RB Leipzig ‘REJECT audacious swap transfer after Blues offer Timo Werner loan for hot prospect defender Josko Gvardiol’

CHELSEA have been rejected in their attempts to sign RB Leipzig defender Josko Gvardiol, according to reports.

The Blues remain in the market to sign a central defender and have offered Timo Werner as part of a swap deal to sign Gvardiol.

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However, Leipzig have no intention to sell the 20-year-old defender, who played 44 games for the German side last season.

Transfer expert Fabrizio Romano has reported Chelsea’s offer for Gvardiol included Werner going back to his former club on loan.

But following the rejection of the offer more possibilities will be discussed.

Leicester star Wesley Fofana has been identified as a target for Thomas Tuchel’s side, while 2018 World Cup winner Benjamin Pavard is also being considered.

Despite signing Raheem Sterling and Kalidou Koulibaly, Chelsea have endured a frustrating transfer window.

Two of their main targets, Raphinha and Jules Kounde, both ended up going to Barcelona.

Romelu Lukaku has gone back to Inter Milan on loan, while their efforts to offload other members of the squad have also been a sticking point.

Namely Werner has been linked with the exit door at Stamford Bridge.

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Newcastle are in the market for a striker and Werner has been identified as a target, but the Germans £270,000 per week wages are proving to be a stumbling block.

It has also been reported Leipzig have agreed personal terms with Werner thanks to him agreeing to take a 50 per cent pay cut, but a fee between the two clubs would need to be agreed.

Werner has been at the club since 2020 and has scored 23 goals and registered 21 assists in 89 games.

However, the 26-year-old has often been a source of frustration for the Chelsea faithful, with Werner having a bad knack of missing chances.

This is backed up by the figures too, with Werner producing the third worst Goals minus Expected Goals value from any player last season at -3.6, behind only Bryan Mbeumo and former Arsenal captain Alexandre Lacazette.