Arsenal and Liverpool are reportedly among the most likely landing spots for Paris Saint-Germain’s Xavi Simons should he leave the French giants next summer.
The Netherlands international came through the academy setup at Barcelona for nine years before making the switch to the Ligue 1 champions in 2019, where he was tipped to eventually become a first-team star.
Things did not pan out that way for Simons at PSG, though, and the 21-year-old was allowed to leave on a free transfer for PSV Eindhoven after three years in the French capital.
However, after enjoying a breakout season in his homeland under Ruud van Nistelrooy, Simons was re-signed by PSG as they activated their £3.3m buyback clause, but he is yet to make an impression under Luis Enrique.
Instead, the playmaker has excelled during two separate loan spells at RB Leipzig, registering 13 goals and 17 assists in 54 appearances and also playing a starring role in the Netherlands’ run to the Euro 2024 semi-finals.
Arsenal, Liverpool to be quoted £66.4m for Simons?
Leipzig do not possess the option or an obligation to sign Simons permanently, meaning that the attacker is set to return to PSG – where he is under contract until 2027 – at the end of the season.
However, there has still been no clarity on Simons’s long-term future, and according to The Athletic, all options are on the table for the former La Masia graduate heading into 2025.
Simons supposedly has not shown any willingness to sign a new PSG deal yet, meaning that the French champions could be tempted into a sale next year when his value is at its highest.
The report claims that Arsenal and Liverpool are among two of the five ‘most probable’ destinations for Simons, a list that also includes Real Madrid, Bayern Munich and former club Barcelona.
Regardless of whether he stays or goes, Simons is apparently viewed as a ‘golden’ commodity by PSG, who would be after at least €80m (£66.4m) to sanction the Dutchman’s exit next summer.
From Leipzig’s side, Die Roten Bullen have reportedly not given up hope of keeping Simons on the books, but they could be blown out of the water by teams with more financial muscle.
Nevertheless, Leipzig are keeping their fingers crossed that they could tempt Simons into continuing with a strong sales pitch, but negotiating a fee with PSG could be a different matter.
Where could Simons fit in at Arsenal, Liverpool?
An extremely versatile attacker, Simons is capable of playing in any position across the forward line, but he tends to prefer the number 10 position and left-wing spot if the 2024-25 season is anything to go by.
Arsenal currently have Leandro Trossard, Gabriel Martinelli and Raheem Sterling battling for left-wing minutes, but the former two have not been consistent this season, and the latter is set to return to Chelsea when his loan deal runs out.
Meanwhile, Luis Diaz’s Liverpool future is still the subject of much uncertainty, as PSG and Barcelona are both rumoured to be keeping tabs on the Colombian amid alleged contract disagreements.
