Are we talking about €70 million?
Xavi Simons is poised to leave RB Leipzig and journey to England. However, a move to Chelsea seems unlikely for now. According to Transfermarkt, which confirms an initial report from Bild, Simons’ camp is currently engaged in talks with Tottenham Hotspur. The Red Bulls have announced that the 22-year-old playmaker is on leave to finalize his future. German broadcaster Sky reports that Chelsea is still in the running, but they need to generate funds first. It remains uncertain if selling Christopher Nkunku to AC Milan will suffice.
In contrast to Chelsea, Tottenham has made a formal offer to RB Leipzig. Transfermarkt corroborates an initial report from Sky stating that Tottenham has proposed a total of €70 million for Simons—an amount reflective of both his market value and Leipzig’s assessment of him. If the deal goes through, Simons would become the third priciest player transferred from Leipzig. Additionally, he would be the second significant transfer from Leipzig to the Premier League this summer, following Benjamin Sesko’s sale to Manchester United for a reported €85 million, including bonuses.
For Tottenham, this potential signing would mark their third acquisition from the Bundesliga this summer, having already brought in João Palhinha and Mathys Tel, who was previously on loan from Bayern Munich. Overall, Tottenham’s spending this summer stands at €145.6 million, and adding Simons would push their total beyond the €200 million threshold, placing them among the top five clubs in terms of expenditures this transfer window. Notably, if completed, Simons would also represent the most expensive signing in Tottenham’s history.
What Xavi Simons Could Bring to Tottenham
The Dutch international has garnered interest from several clubs over the past few months, including Chelsea, which is now considering other avenues, and Bayern Munich. Now it seems Tottenham is set to clinch the deal for Simons. So, what kind of player is Simons? Coming from Barcelona’s famed La Masia academy, he moved to PSG’s academy in 2019. His breakthrough came while playing for PSV Eindhoven in his home country, where he racked up 19 goals and eight assists during the 2022/23 season. PSV had signed Simons on a free transfer from PSG, with a €4 million buyback option that was activated in the summer of 2023.
Instead of returning to PSG, Leipzig opted to loan Simons, which was extended for the following season with a €50 million option to buy that Leipzig exercised last summer. This €50 million deal also includes provisions for PSG to benefit from any subsequent transfer. Regardless, Leipzig stands to profit from the arrangement. However, losing Simons would mean a dip in quality on the pitch. A quintessential playmaker who can also function on the wing, Simons has netted 22 goals and provided 24 assists in 78 matches across all competitions for Leipzig. While he possesses the skillset to enhance the performance of those around him, his demeanor can be a concern; at times, he has been known to be uninvolved, and his behavior in the locker room has raised eyebrows in Leipzig. Nonetheless, when in form, Xavi Simons has the potential to be world-class, and if Thomas Frank can help maintain his focus, he could well become a standout in the Premier League.
