RB Leipzig sporting directorΒ Ralf Rangnick has confirmed that star striker Timo Werner will "definitely" stay at the club until at least 2020.
These comments have just days after stories broke in Spain thatΒ Real MadridΒ were interested in signing the Germany international this summer, linking the interest from Los Blancos with Werner's omission from Leipzig's matchday squad againstΒ Viktoria KΓΆln on Sunday.
It was suggested that Werner was one of three players that Real Madrid bossΒ Julen Lopetegui has shortlisted to replace Karim Benzema, withΒ InterΒ star Mauro Icardi and Valencia's Rodrigo Moreno rounding off the club's transfer targets.
However, sporting director Ragnick, who will act as RB Leipzig's manager this season following the departure ofΒ Ralph HasenhΓΌttl, has confirmed that Werner is eager to stay at the club and work under their soon-to-be head coachΒ Julian Nagelsmann.
"For us, that is not an issue at all," Ragnick told Sky Germany (viaΒ BuliNews) about Real Madrid's interest in Werner this summer. "Timo has made it clear to us both internally and in various interviews that he will definitely be playing for us next year.
6. Timo Werner
Club ο @RBLeipzig_EN
Appearances (17/18) ο 32
Goals β½ 13At just 22 years old, Werner became the youngest ever player to make 150 appearances in the #Bundesliga, and will look to break more records with his goal-scoring in the upcoming season ο΄βͺ pic.twitter.com/Q9KL0XgZGU
β Bundesliga English (@Bundesliga_EN) August 15, 2018
"In addition to that, he has said that he wants to play for at least another year under Julian Nagelsmann (during the 2019/20 season)."
RB Leipzig have already seen star midfielderΒ Naby KeΓ―ta leave the club in favour of a move abroad. The 23-year-old finalised a big money move toΒ LiverpoolΒ this summer, becoming the first high profile player to ditch life at the Red Bull Arena during the club's nine-year history.
But it looks increasingly likelyΒ that Werner, who is entering his third season in Leipzig after arriving from Stuttgart, will remain part of the fabric in easternΒ Saxony for at least another two years, with it even being suggested a new contract could be tabled for the striker at some point this year.