Chelsea steal march on Premier League rivals in fight to sign Xavi Simons

Chelsea have opened talks to sign RB Leipzig midfielder Xavi Simons, talkSPORT understands. The Blues are willing to pay up to £60million for the Netherlands international. Simons looks set to be on his way out of Germany this summerGetty Simons is expected to depart RB Leipzig this summer, and is believed to be open to testing himself in England. Simons joined Leipzig from Paris Saint-Germain on an initial loan deal in 2023, with the move made permanent in January. The German giants forked out an initial £43m for the 22-year-old, with the deal including £26m in potential add-ons. Though it is understood that not all add-ons have been paid by Leipzig. But Simons now looks set to be on his way out just months after signing a contract until 2027. Arsenal are also keen on bringing him to the Premier League, but Chelsea are the first club to make contact with his current side. However, any deal will likely see Leipzig demand add-ons, while also boasting a sell-on clause. Simons has been linked with Newcastle United, Barcelona and Bayern Munich this window. But it’s Chelsea and Arsenal who appear to lead the race as well as they look to continue their summer spending spree. Simons, who has reportedly rejected Bayern’s advances, is a former Barcelona academy prospect. Simons played most games as the Netherlands reached the semi-finals of Euro 2024Getty As well as Simons, Arsenal remain focused on the signing of Eberechi Eze after sealing Noni Madueke’s signature in a £52 million deal. For the Gunners, they will likely only bring in one of Eze or Simons if Gabriel Martinelli and Leandro Trossard both stay in north London. Should one of those go, Mikel Arteta‘s side could look at signing them both. Arsenal haven’t yet submitted an offer for Eze, who has a £68m release clause, but talkSPORT understands talks remain ongoing with the player. For Chelsea, the Blues see Simons as a potential replacement for Christopher Nkunku. The Frenchman is free to leave Stamford Bridge this summer, and if he departs, Enzo Mraesca’s side could move for Simons. Simons is in demand and is unlikely to stay in GermanyGetty He chipped in with 19 goals in the Bundesliga last campaign Chelsea have already signed Joao Pedro, Liam Delap and Jamie Gittens in this window, but another attacking player is on the cards. While Simons often plays as an attacking midfielder, he can also operate on either wing or as a false nine. And he has certainly proved he has an eye for goal having chipped in with 21 goals for Leipzig across his two seasons. He even found the back of the net on 22 occasions for PSV during his loan stay in the 2022/23 season. Simons also found the back of the net against England in Euro 2024 in Holland’s eventual 2-1 semi-final defeat.

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Chelsea have opened talks to sign RB Leipzig midfielder Xavi Simons, talkSPORT understands.

The Blues are willing to pay up to £60million for the Netherlands international.

Simons is expected to depart RB Leipzig this summer, and is believed to be open to testing himself in England.

Simons joined Leipzig from Paris Saint-Germain on an initial loan deal in 2023, with the move made permanent in January.

The German giants forked out an initial £43m for the 22-year-old, with the deal including £26m in potential add-ons.

Though it is understood that not all add-ons have been paid by Leipzig.

But Simons now looks set to be on his way out just months after signing a contract until 2027.

Arsenal are also keen on bringing him to the Premier League, but Chelsea are the first club to make contact with his current side.

However, any deal will likely see Leipzig demand add-ons, while also boasting a sell-on clause.

Simons has been linked with Newcastle United, Barcelona and Bayern Munich this window.

But it’s Chelsea and Arsenal who appear to lead the race as well as they look to continue their summer spending spree.

Simons, who has reportedly rejected Bayern’s advances, is a former Barcelona academy prospect.

As well as Simons, Arsenal remain focused on the signing of Eberechi Eze after sealing Noni Madueke’s signature in a £52 million deal.

For the Gunners, they will likely only bring in one of Eze or Simons if Gabriel Martinelli and Leandro Trossard both stay in north London.

Should one of those go, Mikel Arteta‘s side could look at signing them both.

Arsenal haven’t yet submitted an offer for Eze, who has a £68m release clause, but talkSPORT understands talks remain ongoing with the player.

For Chelsea, the Blues see Simons as a potential replacement for Christopher Nkunku.

The Frenchman is free to leave Stamford Bridge this summer, and if he departs, Enzo Mraesca’s side could move for Simons.

Chelsea have already signed Joao Pedro, Liam Delap and Jamie Gittens in this window, but another attacking player is on the cards.

While Simons often plays as an attacking midfielder, he can also operate on either wing or as a false nine.

And he has certainly proved he has an eye for goal having chipped in with 21 goals for Leipzig across his two seasons.

He even found the back of the net on 22 occasions for PSV during his loan stay in the 2022/23 season.

Simons also found the back of the net against England in Euro 2024 in Holland’s eventual 2-1 semi-final defeat.