As expected, Timo Werner will leave Tottenham Hotspur in the summer after a year and a half with the Lilywhites. Unsurprisingly, Spurs have decided not to take up the option to buy.
After a turbulent season, there is a flurry of activity at Europa League winners Tottenham Hotspur in terms of squad planning. After avoiding relegation from the Premier League for the first time in 17 years, the Lilywhites are now looking to lay the foundations for a hopefully more successful future. As expected, however, Timo Werner will not be part of it. As the North London club announced on Saturday morning, the 29-year-old will leave the club when his loan deal expires.
In the winter of 2024, the 57-time international joined Spurs after a difficult first half of the season with only 203 minutes of playing time in the Bundesliga, and subsequently made a name for himself with six goal contributions (two goals, four assists) in 13 Premier League games. This was followed by an extension of the loan (including an option to buy), but Werner was unable to build on his early form during his time in north London, and his spell at Tottenham ultimately turned out to be a misunderstanding for both sides.
At the end of the first half of the season, his coach Ange Postecoglou was already voicing clear criticism of the 29-year-old: “He hasn’t played anywhere near the level he is capable of,” the Australian had accused Werner after the 1-1 draw with Rangers in the Europa League. Given his role as a role model, his performance at the time was “unacceptable,” “even if we have 18-year-olds playing for us. I told him that too. He is an experienced international player, a German international.”
The premature low point of a failed loan spell: Shortly afterwards, Spurs dropped the former national team striker from their squad for Europe’s second-tier competition. In the new year, Werner only managed 178 minutes of playing time. With this baggage, the striker is now returning to Leipzig from his second spell on the island, having previously played for Chelsea from 2020 to 2022. However, Werner no longer has any prospects in Saxony either, and the Stuttgart-born player will be looking for a new home in the summer.
Further prominent changes in the Spurs squad
However, the 29-year-old German is not the only prominent name leaving Spurs. Six-time Spanish international Sergio Reguilon also has no future with the North London club. The Madrid native moved to London in 2020 for around €30 million, but has gradually lost his place in the starting line-up in recent years. After unsuccessful loan spells at Manchester United and Brentford FC, the 28-year-old left-back is leaving the Lilywhites for good when his contract expires. The same fate befalls substitute goalkeeper Fraser Forster (six caps for England), who replaced injured first-choice keeper Guglielmo Vicario in 13 games this season.
The situation is also clear for loan players Pierre-Emile Höjbjerg and Kevin Danso, with both players’ contracts containing purchase obligations. While the Dane, who moved to Olympique Marseille on loan due to a lack of prospects, will continue to play in southern France, the other former Bundesliga player will remain at Tottenham Hotspur beyond the end of the season. The Spurs are reportedly paying €25 million to French club RC Lens for the center back.