Real Madrid 'plotting shock bid' for one of Chelsea's biggest-ever transfer flops

Real Madrid are plotting a shock bid for a former Chelsea player, it has been claimed.

Los Blancos have been operating for much of the La Liga campaign without a recognised striker, amid the departure of Karim Benzema for the Saudi Pro League this summer.

Instead, Jude Bellingham has been playing as a false nine to great effect, netting some 13 goals and three assists in his 14 appearances across all competitions.

Meanwhile, former Stoke City attacker Joselu has also played up-front for Real on occasion and scored a respectable five goals in his 13 La Liga appearances.

But according to reports Real are considering a shock move for former Chelsea forward Timo Werner to bolster their attacking line.

As per the Spanish publication Sport, Real are interested in Werner, who has scored just two goals for RB Leipzig in 12 games this term, to lighten the load on Bellingham.

It is said that the La Liga giants are looking for a loan or permanent option in the striker department, while Leipzig are reportedly keen to let Werner go in January, barely a year after they re-signed him from the Blues for £25million.

Leipzig sporting director Rouven Schroder is ready to listen to offers for Werner this winter and publicly made it clear the club would facilitate a move should Werner want to leave.

Schroder told German outlet Spox: "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.

"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."

Werner’s Chelsea career never really got off the ground after a £47million move to Stamford Bridge in 2020.

The German international had netted 34 goals for Leipzig in the 2019/20 season ahead of the transfer, but recurring injuries and confidence problems blighted the forward’s time at Stamford Bridge.

He was replaced as first-choice striker in the summer of 2021 following the arrival of Romelu Lukaku, but the Belgian’s tenure in west London was even more disappointing than his counterpart. Nevertheless, Werner was sold back to Leipzig the following summer.