Former Chelsea striker Timo Werner could be set for a shock return to the Premier League in January after RB Leipzig announced he will be allowed to leave the club in the winter window.

After shining for Leipzig in his first stint at the club, Werner sealed a £47million move to Stamford Bridge in 2020.

However he endured a torrid time in west London, managing just 10 goals in 56 Premier League games and was later shipped back to Leipzig as Chelsea cut their losses of the German forward last year.

Lois Openda, Benjamin Sesko and Yussuf Poulsen are all ahead of Werner and it now appears that he could be heading for the exit, with Leipzig sporting director Rouven Schroder revealing they will listen to offers for the 27-year-old in the new year.

Timo Werner will be allowed to leave Leipzig in January as his struggles in Germany continue

Werner (left) re-signed with Leipzig last year for £25m following his disastrous stint at Chelsea

In an interview with German news outlet Spox, Schroder revealed: ‘We look carefully at our squad, and we want players who have that something a bit different in their heads.

‘Those are the types of players who we will pick. Timo is going through a difficult spell, and we are supporting him. Life isn’t always sunshine.

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‘If he has the notion that he would like to do something else, then we will deal with it. He is a part of our team, and he has to face up to competition for places.’

Following his dismal spell at Chelsea, Newcastle were reportedly very keen on bringing the German to the North East but were put off by his mammoth £270,000-a-week wages which allowed Leipzig to swoop in and re-sign him last year.

Leipzig paid Chelsea £25m to bring him back to the club last year – but will now listen to offers

Newcastle were reportedly keen on signing Werner last year but were put off by his big wages

However, reports claimed that Werner agreed to take a pay cut to return to Leipzig for around £165,000 a week and his reduced wages and price tag could see the Magpies come back in should Eddie Howe decide to renew interest in the Germany international.

Werner has also been linked with moves to Italy, with Juventus a potential destination. 

In his first season back at Leipzig, Werner scored 16 goals in 40 appearances in all competitions but has struggled to make an impact this season, scoring just twice in 13 games.