Earthquakes near deal to add German forward with Bundesliga, Premier League experience

The Jose Earthquakes are reportedly close to a deal to acquire German forward Timo Werner of RB Leipzig, according to The Athletic.

Should the signing take place, Werner would become a designated player for San Jose, offering the 29-year-old a fresh start in Major League Soccer. He saw only 13 minutes of Bundesliga action for Leipzig this past season.

Werner will be a welcome addition to the Quakes’ attack after the departure of Josef Martinez to Tijuana. San Jose was seventh in MLS with 60 goals scored while going 11-15-8 last season.

It was believed that the Stuttgart native was close to joining Leipzig’s MLS sister team, the New York Red Bulls, last summer.

Werner has 24 goals in 57 games for the German national team and played in the 2018 World Cup. He has been part of teams that have won the UEFA Champions League, Europa League and Club World Cup.

Across all club competitions, he has 151 goals, including 114 in league competition.