Edu, the sports director of Arsenal, is very interested’ in Xavi Simons, a Paris Saint-Germain player who is rumoured to want to leave the team this summer. The 21-year-old is also wanted by Barcelona, Bayern Munich, and RB Leipzig, but a high price tag may end the pursuit before the transfer market opens.
While attending the prestigious La Masia Academy in Barcelona, Simons became well-known online. But instead of trying to make an impression on Catalonia’s very competitive first team, the offensive midfielder from Amsterdam decided to take his skills to France.
Simons has had a few appearances for PSG’s senior team, but his career has taken off, mostly when he has been away from the Parc des Princes. He had an incredible season with PSV Eindhoven last season, where he scored 19 league goals. This season, while on loan at RB Leipzig, he has thrived, contributing to 18 goals in 31 Bundesliga games.
The race to sign Simons is intensifying as the summer transfer window draws near. Sport claims that RB Leipzig has already made a formal offer to sign him permanently, but PSG has not yet accepted.
Relocating back to Barcelona is thought to be the player’s top choice. But with a price tag of just under £52 million, Xavi would essentially rule La Blaugrana out of the competition in favour of adding players to other positions in his squad.
Due to Leipzig’s unsuccessful proposal and Barcelona’s financial constraints, Bayern Munich and Arsenal now have an opportunity. According to reports, scouts from Gunners transfer chief Edu have been watching Simons dominate the Bundesliga this year.
Furthermore, only a select few teams in Europe have the financial resources to make a bid for Simons, including the north Londoners. In light of the uncertainty surrounding the futures of Eddie Nketiah, Reiss Nelson, and Emile Smith Rowe, manager Mikel Arteta may require reinforcements in offensive areas.
Once hailed as the next great thing to emerge out of Arsenal’s academy, Smith Rowe has only started three Premier League games this year and, at 23, may decide to cut losses in order to pursue regular playing time elsewhere.
While Nketiah has fallen behind Kai Havertz and Gabriel Jesus in the standings, Nelson, who is a year older, has only started one Premier League game this season.
Where Simons would exactly slot into Arteta’s starting lineup is yet unknown. Although the Netherlands international has mostly been used as Leipzig’s offensive midfielder, the Gunners already have enough of threat from skipper Martin Odegaard in the middle of the park.
