New York Red Bulls Not ‘100% Sold’ on Timo Werner as MLS Route Closes Ahead of January Window

Why the New York Red Bulls Are Backing Away from Timo Werner

For a while, it looked as though Timo Werner’s long and increasingly uneasy chapter at RB Leipzig was heading toward a fresh American restart. MLS had been positioned as a perfect landing spot: a league offering attacking freedom, a culture he admired, and a platform where a player of his profile could thrive immediately. And among all the potential doors in the United States, the most obvious one seemed to be the New York Red Bulls — a club within the same network, a club with a vacant Designated Player slot, and a club that, on paper, could desperately use more final-third firepower.

But as the January transfer window approaches, Werner’s plan has taken a sharp turn. The New York Red Bulls have cooled their interest dramatically — so much so that their newly installed head of sport, Julian de Guzman, openly admitted the club “wasn’t 100 percent convinced” that signing Werner would be the right move for their current direction.

For a striker who has been frozen out at Leipzig and is eager to reset his career, the timing couldn’t be worse. And for MLS, which has been increasingly aggressive in its pursuit of European-established attackers, it marks a notable shift in how even big-name players are evaluated. This isn’t the typical case of a star arriving in the U.S. by default — this time, the door has been firmly shut.

VfL Wolfsburg v RB Leipzig – Bundesliga

Werner’s Situation in Leipzig: From Record Goal Scorer to Peripheral Figure

To understand why Werner was eyeing MLS in the first place, you only need to look at what has unfolded in Leipzig over the past several months. He may still be the club’s all-time leading scorer with 113 goals, but that statistic feels almost nostalgic now, as if it belongs to a different era. Under Ole Werner (no relation), he has been reduced to an afterthought.

Despite being contracted until 2026, Werner has barely featured this season. He’s been fully aware of the situation — people close to the player say he began mentally preparing for a winter exit as early as mid-October. The Bundesliga no longer feels like home to him; neither does Leipzig’s tactical structure. He needs minutes, visibility, rhythm, and a level of trust he hasn’t enjoyed in years.

MLS, with its growing profile and far more open attacking style, became the standout option. There was comfort in the idea of reuniting with the Red Bull family. And importantly, there was optimism — until now.

The Summer Move That Didn’t Happen

It’s worth remembering that this isn’t the first time New York and Werner were linked. Over the summer, NYRB pushed seriously for him, reportedly preparing a two-and-a-half-year contract and exploring creative ways to fit his salary into their roster structure.

But that deal collapsed, primarily because Werner’s wage expectations couldn’t be matched. At that time, there was still belief in Leipzig that he could regain his footing in Germany. There was still the possibility of Europa League minutes. There was also the hope — faint as it may have been — that a coaching shift or tactical tweak could restore his place.

Six months later, all of that is gone. Leipzig wants him out. Werner wants out. A transfer is no longer optional — it’s essential. Which makes New York’s latest stance all the more striking.

Why the New York Red Bulls Aren’t Convinced

Julian de Guzman didn’t dance around the issue in his interview with The Athletic, and that honesty says a lot about the organization’s current mindset.

“There were always talks about [Werner],” he acknowledged. “It’s a great name to bring. Fans would have loved him.”

Yet despite the appeal, de Guzman made it clear that the club ultimately saw too much misalignment — stylistically, structurally, and philosophically.

“The opportunity was there, but I don’t think we were 100 percent sold that this was the right thing for New York. That’s why it wasn’t something we were fully invested in. We’d rather be patient with that DP spot.”

Those aren’t the words of a front office trying to spin or soften a tough financial decision. They reflect a deeper identity reset inside the club — one fueled by a disappointing season and increasing frustration from supporters.

A Club in Transition, Not Chasing Names

The Red Bulls are in the middle of redefining how they build a roster. After missing the playoffs for the first time in 15 years, they’ve been heavily criticized by fans for leaving their third DP slot unused. Banners protesting club management even appeared in the stands last season.

But de Guzman is pushing back against the idea that the solution is simply to bring in a recognized name.

“I’m far from wanting to sign a ‘famous player’,” he said bluntly. “I want someone who will help the team improve.”

He pointed to Emil Forsberg and Eric Maxim Choupo-Moting — two experienced Designated Players — as part of the equation. Adding a third veteran of similar profile, especially one whose form has dipped significantly, didn’t fit the vision. The message is clear: New York wants a DP who shapes the future, not one who chases past glories.

Coaching Search Complicates the Picture

Layered onto all this is the fact that New York is still without a permanent head coach after dismissing Sandro Schwarz three weeks ago. A new coach means a new system, new preferences, and possibly a new type of striker.

Jim Curtin has been linked. So has Michael Bradley, whose work with Red Bulls II impressed many inside the club. De Guzman spoke highly of Bradley’s calm presence and coaching instincts, praising both his communication and his game model.

In other words: committing DP money before knowing the next coach’s tactical blueprint would be premature — especially for a player like Werner, whose success depends heavily on system fit.

So What’s Next for Timo Werner?

With New York essentially closing the door, Werner is expected to explore other MLS destinations. Reports in Germany have suggested that he is looking closely at Los Angeles, where both LAFC and the LA Galaxy have the financial tools and attacking profiles that could suit him better.

And MLS still makes sense for him. The league offers lifestyle appeal, a growing global spotlight, and a level of attacking expression that could help him rediscover confidence. There’s also the simple reality that he needs a team willing to hand him the keys — something he hasn’t had in a long time.

January will be decisive. Leipzig wants to move quickly; Werner himself knows he can’t afford to wait another six months on the bench.

The question now isn’t whether he’ll leave — it’s which club is willing to buy into the project of rebuilding Timo Werner.

The Bigger Picture: MLS Is Changing, Too

VfL Wolfsburg v RB Leipzig – Bundesliga

One of the most interesting layers of this story is what it says about MLS’s evolution. The league is no longer rolling out the red carpet for any European star with name recognition. Clubs are being more targeted, more tactical, and more future-focused — especially when it comes to DP investments.

Werner is a big name. He would sell shirts. He would get attention. But MLS clubs are increasingly unwilling to spend DP money unless the player moves the team forward, not sideways.

New York Red Bulls didn’t reject Timo Werner the star. They rejected Timo Werner the fit. And that alone says a lot about where the league is heading.

Final Thoughts

For Werner, this is a frustrating twist. For the Red Bulls, it’s a sign of a club determined to stick to its new blueprint. And for MLS, it’s another step toward a more mature, more strategic league — one where even top-level European players must prove they’re more than just a recognizable name.

And so, as the January window approaches, Werner’s American dream is still alive — just not in New York. The route to MLS isn’t closed, but the path is narrower, more complex, and far more dependent on finding the right match.

In the months ahead, all eyes will be on whether one of the league’s ambitious clubs is ready to take a chance on a player who once lit up Europe — and who is now hoping the United States can help him light up again.