Timo Werner, the German striker once hailed as one of Europe’s most lethal forwards, is on the verge of a new chapter in his career. Multiple sources confirm that the San Jose Earthquakes are closing in on a deal to sign Werner from RB Leipzig, a move that could reshape the club’s fortunes ahead of the 2026 Major League Soccer season. While the deal isn’t officially over the line, all signs point to Werner donning the Quakes’ blue in a matter of days.
Werner, now 29, has seen his career take several twists and turns since his explosive Bundesliga breakthrough. After coming through the ranks at VfB Stuttgart, he made his name at RB Leipzig, scoring a staggering 113 goals and providing 47 assists in 216 appearances across all competitions. His four-year spell from 2016 to 2020 was particularly prolific, with 95 goals in 159 outings, helping propel Leipzig into the Champions League and onto the European stage.
That success earned Werner a high-profile move to Chelsea in the English Premier League. During his two seasons at Stamford Bridge, he found the net 23 times in 89 appearances and was part of the squad that clinched the 2020-21 UEFA Champions League title. However, Werner’s time in London was marked by inconsistency, and he soon found himself returning to Leipzig in 2022, hoping to recapture his earlier form.
Unfortunately, Werner’s second stint at Leipzig hasn’t gone according to plan. This season, he’s managed just three appearances totaling a mere 13 minutes of playing time. Leipzig’s managing director for sport, Marcel Schäfer, addressed Werner’s predicament after a December defeat to Bayer Leverkusen, telling Sky Sports Germany, “He has always conducted himself professionally and correctly. That said, I believe that if he wants more minutes – and we’ve discussed this extensively with him – it may be time for a change.”
It appears that change will come in the form of a move to MLS. The San Jose Earthquakes, led by manager Bruce Arena, have been on the hunt for attacking reinforcements after losing key forwards Josef Martínez (to Club Tijuana in Liga MX) and Cristian Espinoza (to Nashville SC). With Werner expected to fill a Designated Player (DP) slot, he’ll be tasked with leading a new-look Earthquakes attack, likely alongside recently re-signed forward Cristian Arango, whose contract now runs through December 2027.
The deal, first reported by The Athletic and widely echoed by ESPN and other outlets, is said to be in its final stages. While no transfer fee has been disclosed, a verbal agreement is reportedly in place, with only formalities remaining before Werner is unveiled as San Jose’s marquee signing. The German forward’s contract with Leipzig runs through June 2026 and is worth around €10 million per year, but the club has made it clear he is free to leave in search of more regular playing time.
Werner’s international pedigree is beyond question. Since making his debut for Germany in 2017, he’s earned 57 caps and scored 24 goals, representing his country at both the 2018 World Cup and Euro 2020. His club career has seen him collect a host of honors, including the 2020-21 UEFA Champions League with Chelsea, the 2024-25 UEFA Europa League with Tottenham Hotspur (where he spent 18 months on loan, scoring three goals and adding seven assists), and the 2022-23 DFB-Pokal with Leipzig. He was also named to the Bundesliga Team of the Season in 2019-20.
For the Earthquakes, Werner’s impending arrival is both a statement of intent and a much-needed boost. The club finished 10th in the Western Conference last season, narrowly missing out on a playoff spot after a late-season slide. With the departures of Martínez and Espinoza, who combined for 18 goals and 14 assists last year, the Quakes’ attack was left in need of serious reinforcement. Werner, despite his recent struggles, brings a wealth of experience, a proven goal-scoring record, and the kind of big-game mentality that San Jose hopes will translate into MLS success.
The move to San Jose is also notable given earlier speculation that Werner might join the New York Red Bulls, Leipzig’s MLS sister club, or even Inter Miami, where he was tipped to partner with Lionel Messi. New York’s captain, Emil Forsberg, himself a former Leipzig star, had called a potential reunion with Werner “fantastic,” but it’s the Earthquakes who have seized the opportunity. Inter Miami, meanwhile, shifted focus to other targets, including Tadeo Allende, leaving the door open for San Jose to swoop in.
Werner’s journey to California is emblematic of the changing landscape in MLS, where clubs are increasingly aggressive in targeting high-profile European talent. With a Designated Player slot still available even after Werner’s signing, San Jose’s front office, led by Arena, is expected to remain active throughout the winter transfer window as the team looks to fill other gaps and return to postseason contention.
For Werner, the move offers a much-needed fresh start after a difficult period in Germany and England. Leipzig’s decision to sideline him this season, coupled with an unsuccessful loan at Tottenham and a summer in which he was told he was not part of the club’s plans, has left the striker eager to prove himself once more. His career tally of 171 goals, including 78 for Stuttgart and 24 for Germany, underscores his ability to find the net when given the right platform.
The Earthquakes will kick off their 2026 campaign at home against Sporting Kansas City on February 21, a fixture that could well see Werner make his MLS debut. With the Western Conference undergoing significant changes—several teams have hired new managers, and reigning regular season champions San Diego are expected to field a revamped squad—the stage is set for a wide-open race. San Jose’s ambition is clear, and the signing of Werner could be the catalyst for a much-needed resurgence.
As the final details of the transfer are ironed out, Earthquakes fans and MLS observers alike will be watching closely to see if Werner can rediscover his best form and help lead San Jose back to the playoffs. The deal isn’t quite done yet, but the anticipation is palpable. If all goes to plan, Timo Werner’s arrival could mark the beginning of a bold new era in San Jose.
