Xavi Simons set for a £95 million transfer, according to Chelsea reports
Chelsea Pursues Record-Breaking Bid for Xavi Simons
Xavi Simons, the highly-rated Dutch attacking midfielder, is reportedly keen on joining Chelsea, according to the latest news. Despite interest from Bayern Munich and speculation about Manchester City potentially intervening, Chelsea appears to be Simons' preferred destination.
Chelsea aims to secure Simons to strengthen their attack, as he can play both on the left wing and as a number ten. RB Leipzig values Simons at around £60 million, but Chelsea is targeting a fee closer to £50 million. Negotiations have been ongoing for several weeks, but no official offer has yet been submitted by Chelsea.
The move is partly dependent on Chelsea offloading players like Christopher Nkunku and Nicolas Jackson to create squad space and funds. Bayern Munich has shown interest in Nkunku from Chelsea, which could unlock the Simons deal for the Blues.
Chelsea's aim is to win the Premier League title, which they last won in 2017. The squad is already considered stacked, but a move for Simons may only materialise should they make a major sale, with World Cup-winning Enzo Fernandez the likeliest candidate.
Schafer, Leipzig's sporting director, stated, "We've been working for a long time to make this transfer, which is a great one both in a sporting and financial sense," and added, "We now hold all the trump cards." The reported fee for Simons' transfer would be the highest ever for a Dutch player.
Arsenal is also in the race to sign Simons as an alternative to Eberechi Eze. Simons, a graduate of La Masia, the youth academy of FC Barcelona, completed a permanent move to Leipzig in January, following an initial loan spell from Paris Saint-Germain. He is valued at €70m by Transfermarkt.
Chelsea have been active in the transfer market this summer, signing Joao Pedro and Jamie Gittens. Simons, ranked at no.8 in our website's list of the best attacking midfielders in the world right now, would be a significant addition to their squad.
Leipzig may still be open to major sales after missing out on Champions League football last term. RB Leipzig were in talks to sell Benjamin Sesko to Arsenal but failed to agree on a price. Simons is another major asset that Leipzig may consider selling.
The focus remains on Chelsea's efforts to complete sales to enable the signing of Simons before the window closes. The transfer is likely but hinges on Chelsea managing outgoing deals and agreeing fees with RB Leipzig and Bayern.
Simons' potential transfer from Leipzig to Chelsea could reshape the attacking department of the Premier League club, potentially breaking a record for the highest fee ever paid for a Dutch player. Chelsea's pursuit of Simons is conducted in parallel with their attempts to offload players like Christopher Nkunku and Enzo Fernandez to create room for the new signing.
