Tottenham Hotspur have announced their updated Europa League squad after reaching the last 16 of the competition.
There was one notable omission from the updated Europa League squad as Timo Werner, who was in the group-stage squad, was dropped.
Tottenham made three changes to the squad, with Djed Spence plus new signings Mathys Tel and Kevin Danso making the cut.
Meanwhile, Werner has dropped out of the squad along with Radu Dragusin and Fraser Forster, while January signing Antonin Kinsky wasn’t included.
Transfer insider Ben Jacobs relayed the news of Tottenham’s updated Europa League squad and also shared what the future holds for Werner.
Tottenham not expected to trigger Timo Werner option to buy
Werner first arrived at Tottenham in January 2023 as he joined on a six-month loan deal from RB Leipzig midway through the 2023-24 season.
He registered two goals and three assists in 13 Premier League appearances, leading to Spurs opting to sign him again on loan with an £8.5million option to buy.
However, Werner has struggled at Tottenham this season, with just one League Cup goal and three assists in 26 games in all competitions.
Now, according to Jacobs, Tottenham are “not expected” to trigger Werner’s option to buy at the end of the season.
Tottenham boss Ange Postecoglou publicly criticised Werner after Tottenham’s 1-1 draw with Rangers in the Europa League in December.
“He wasn’t playing anywhere near the level he should,” Postecoglou said in his post-match press conference.
“When you’ve got 18-year-olds it’s not acceptable to me. I said that to Timo. He’s a senior international, he’s a German international.”
Whether Tottenham could sign more forwards in summer despite Mathys Tel arrival
There is currently ‘very little, or absolutely no chance’ of Werner making a permanent move to the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium at the end of the campaign, according to GiveMeSport.
Tottenham weren’t looking to cut Werner’s loan short, as they still value him as a squad member, but just until the remainder of the season, it is suggested.
Spurs’ move for Tel is another sign of them seeking alternative options to Werner, but the Lilywhites are still expected to move for more attacking players in the summer.
Tottenham are likely to sign another attacker ahead of next season and scouting missions are ongoing with a view to a move beyond June for another forward, added the report.