BERLIN, Dec. 4 -- After the 34-year old Arjen Robben announced his intention to leave Bayern Munich at the end of the 2018/2019 season, rumors about a possible successor are increasing.
In the opinion of Lothar Matthaeus, who was capped a record 150 times for Germany, there is only one real solution.
"Bayern should buy the Leipzig striker Timo Werner," the 57-year-old former Bayern captain commented. "Not doing everything humanly possible to sign him would mean Bayern isn't doing its homework properly."
Bayern will face competition for his signature from national rivals Borussia Dortmund and top European clubs like Real Madrid, FC Barcelona, and Manchester City.
Matthaeus said the Werner deal is going to be the biggest transfer in Bundesliga history, adding that only a massive offer from abroad could spoil the deal for Bayern. Bayern will have to make an investment beyond the 100-million euro mark, said the 1990 World Cup winning captain.
The TV pundit is convinced Bayern could solve most of its problems by signing Werner. Despite having a contract with Leipzig that runs until 2020, the 22-year-old German international could be part of the Bavarians' new attack alongside Serge Gnabry (22), his teammate in the national team.
Werner would fulfill Bayern's claim to always have to best German internationals in their squad. "I'm sure it will turn out to one of the best investments in Bayern's history," Matthaeus said.
Werner admitted to having thought about his future but said he is currently feeling happy in Leipzig and is looking forward to working with coach Julian Nagelsmann, who will join the club from TSG Hoffenheim in 2019.
So far Werner has refused to extend his Leipzig contract despite a new offer from the club. "In football, things change quickly," he said. "One has to be honest. If you want to follow players like Thomas Mueller or Robert Lewandowski, you one day have to join a side that is ready to reach the Champions League semifinals," the Stuttgart-born Werner said.
Bayern president Uli Hoeness is said to be supporting efforts to entice Werner to the club. Insiders report that he is a fan of the striker's skills. He recently announced that Bayern is planning massive investments for the summer of 2019. "We're well prepared, and our bank account is well filled."
The 66-year-old said Robben was one of the club's best investments ever. "He and Franck Ribery are legends and have always given their all for the side. It wouldn't have been 'Bayern-like' to not give them another contract at the end of last season," Hoeness emphasized.
The Bayern president said he still is happy to have them around "even when it means risking the German national title this season."
Bayern's golden-agers, affectionately named "Robbery", have reached the end of their careers as top international players. "It's part of our identity to be thankful for over ten years of hard work provided by players like them," Hoeness said.
Robben won seven German league titles, the German Cup four times and the Champions League. In the 2013 final against Borussia Dortmund (2-1), he was the man of the match having delivered the assist for Bayern's first goal and then scoring the winning goal shortly before the final whistle.