Bayern Munich CEO Karl-Heinz Rummenigge has been taken aback by the recent public transfer declaration from RB Leipzig striker and noted Liverpool target Timo Werner.
Werner, 24, has become one of the most sought-after strikers in European football after scoring 88 goals in 150 appearances for Leipzig, including 27 across all competitions in 2019/20 before the coronavirus pandemic led to the suspension of football across the continent.
The German international - who has spoken of his admiration for Reds boss Jurgen Klopp - has been most strongly linked with Premier League champions-elect Liverpool, with former Leipzig coach - and current head of sport and development at Red Bull - Ralf Rangnick recently suggesting that he would fit in well at Anfield.
Chelsea, Manchester United, Inter Milan and Bayern are among the clubs also credited with an interest in Werner, though earlier this month the player revealed that he would be more "tempted" by a move abroad than completing a switch to the Allianz Arena.
In Pictures | Bundesliga transfer targets for Premier League clubs
"It's just that the challenge of another league would appeal to me a little more than a move within the Bundesliga," he said.
And Werner's decision to publicly address the rumours in such a manner evidently caught Bayern's Rummenigge by surprise.
Speaking to Bild ahead of the Bundesliga's resumption this weekend, he said: "I am actually amazed at nothing, but I have never seen a player make such a statement in response to public rumours."
