£8.5m Star to Leave Tottenham Hotspur This Summer with Decision Already Made
Tottenham Hotspur’s decision to not make Timo Werner’s loan move permanent comes as no surprise. The German forward, who has failed to make an impact in the Premier League, is expected to return to RB Leipzig at the end of the season. Despite being given the chance to play in the English top flight, Werner’s time in North London has been disappointing. With just one goal in 27 appearances, it became clear that the £8.5 million investment was not going to work out. When Tottenham signed Werner on a six-month loan in January 2024, there were hopes that he could rediscover the form that had made him one of the top strikers in Germany. However, he struggled to find his best form. Despite his time in North London being extended for another season, his inability to score goals was evident.
Ange Postecoglou, the manager of Tottenham, did not hide his frustrations with Werner. He made his feelings clear when he described Werner’s performance during a 1-1 draw in the Europa League against Rangers as “unacceptable.” The striker’s injury woes didn’t help his cause either, with a hamstring injury during an FA Cup victory over Tamworth limiting his game time. Even after recovering, Werner was left out of the squad for a 4-1 win against Ipswich Town, which suggested that the club no longer saw him as part of their future plans.
Tottenham’s plans for the summer transfer window do not include Werner, and the focus is now on finding fresh attacking talent. One of the club’s targets is Mathys Tel, a French forward who plays for Bayern Munich. Spurs have a £45.8 million option to sign Tel, which could rise to £50 million with add-ons. Tel’s ability to play both centrally and out wide makes him an appealing option for Tottenham as they look to strengthen their attack.
There has been speculation about Werner’s next move. New York Red Bulls of Major League Soccer have reportedly shown interest in signing him, though it remains to be seen if Werner is ready to make the move across the Atlantic at just 28 years old. His future is uncertain, and the possibility of returning to RB Leipzig is an option, but it is unclear whether he will stay in Europe or look to explore a move to MLS.
Looking back, the decision to bring Werner to Tottenham was always a gamble. His time at Chelsea, where he struggled to score consistently, should have been a warning sign. During his two years at Chelsea, Werner scored just ten goals in the Premier League. Although his pace and work rate were never in question, his finishing and decision-making were often poor. Even when Tottenham had injuries that disrupted their squad, Werner failed to make the most of his opportunities. He lacked the clinical edge required to justify his place in the team, let alone make the transfer permanent. As a result, Spurs’ decision to part ways with Werner makes sense.
From the perspective of Tottenham fans, the signing of Werner always seemed like a short-term solution rather than a long-term fix. His struggles at Chelsea should have been a red flag, yet Tottenham took a risk in hoping that a change of scenery and system might rejuvenate his career. Unfortunately, the same issues followed him to Tottenham. His inconsistency, missed chances, and inability to influence matches made it clear that he was not the answer to Tottenham’s attacking problems. When Postecoglou publicly criticised him earlier in the season, it became evident that his future lay elsewhere, and the decision not to make his move permanent was inevitable.
For Tottenham supporters, this situation is part of a larger issue at the club, which has often been guilty of making signings that don’t fit into their long-term plans. Moving forward, fans will hope that the club’s transfer strategy will focus on acquiring younger, dynamic players who can elevate the squad and help the club compete at a higher level. The potential signing of Mathys Tel could represent a step in the right direction, and fans will be hopeful that this is an indication that the club is learning from its past mistakes rather than repeating them.
As for Werner, his time at Tottenham will likely be remembered as a disappointing chapter in his career. While he may still have a future in European football, it seems unlikely that he will continue playing in the Premier League. A return to RB Leipzig might help him rediscover his confidence, or perhaps a move to MLS will be the fresh start he needs. Whatever his next move may be, it’s clear that his time at Tottenham did not work out as planned. The club’s decision to let him go is the right one, and it will be interesting to see where he goes next in his career.
In the end, Tottenham Hotspur’s decision to move on from Werner is one that makes sense for both the club and the player. While there was hope that Werner could recapture his best form and provide the attacking threat that Spurs needed, his struggles in the Premier League have been too difficult to overcome. The focus now should be on bringing in players who can truly make a difference and help the team achieve success in the future. With a new focus on younger talent, Tottenham will be hoping that they can build a squad that can compete at the highest level for years to come.
