Arsenal have allegedly joined the list of clubs interested in signing Chelsea attacker Timo Werner this summer.
Speculation surrounding the Germany international's future is beginning to hot up after he struggled to show his best form once again in the 2021-22 season.
Werner only registered four goals in the Premier League, striking 11 goals and six assists from 37 appearances in all competitions in total.
The former RB Leipzig man has posted a relatively strong record of 23 goals and 21 assists in 89 games for the Blues since 2020, but he has been unable to replicate his prolific showings from his time in the Bundesliga.
Despite already allowing Romelu Lukaku to leave the club for Inter Milan on loan, Chelsea are said to be open to letting Werner depart for his own temporary spell elsewhere.
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Newcastle United are thought to be in talks over a loan deal for the 26-year-old, while Real Madrid consider him as a possible backup striker for Karim Benzema.
A return to Leipzig has also been mooted for the striker, although Chelsea have already reportedly failed in a bid to send Werner back to the Red Bull Arena in exchange for Josko Gvardiol.
Roten Bullen manager Domenico Tedesco has also refused to comment on reports surrounding Werner, telling reporters: "Timo Werner isn't my player, isn't our player. He is a player from Chelsea.
"Therefore, I have a clear opinion on this. To not express myself, to not position myself on players, who aren't part of our club, who aren't under contract in our club. In my opinion, that's a matter of respect. That's an important principle, which I set up for me."
Now, Defensa Central claims that Arsenal are also keeping a close eye on Werner's situation, but Chelsea would likely be reluctant to sell to a direct rival.
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Arsenal have already reinforced their attack with the signings of Gabriel Jesus, Marquinhos and Fabio Vieira, with the former scoring a hat-trick in Saturday's 6-0 Emirates Cup thrashing of Sevilla.
However, Gunners boss Mikel Arteta has confirmed that his side still want to welcome more new faces to the club in the coming weeks, and a winger could be on the agenda.
Werner has a contract with Chelsea until the summer of 2025 and is one of several Blues attackers - alongside Hakim Ziyech and Armando Broja - who are being linked with exits.
Ziyech is thought to be in discussions over a switch to AC Milan, while Real Madrid are also keeping a close eye on Broja's development.
Chelsea boss Thomas Tuchel is reportedly determined to keep hold of Broja, who was also the subject of interest from West Ham United before the Hammers signed Gianluca Scamacca.
Ben Knapton
