Barcelona are reportedly still interested in signing Paris Saint-Germain starlet Xavi Simons, whose contract will expire at the end of the season.
According to French publication Le Parisien, as relayed by SPORT, Barcelona retain an interest in securing the services of former La Masia prospect Xavi Simons, whose current contract with PSG will run out this summer.
Xavi Simons joined Barcelona’s famed La Masia youth setup in 2010 and spent nine years at the club. During this time, the versatile attacking midfielder was widely regarded as one of the most promising prospects to be coming through the ranks at the Catalan outfit.
However, the 18-year-old left Barcelona in the summer of 2019, joining PSG on a free transfer for a lucrative contract and a faster pathway into the first-team setup. The teenager made his senior breakthrough in Paris in February last year but has made just nine appearances thus far.
Given the plethora of superstars at manager Mauricio Pochettino’s disposal at PSG, Xavi Simons has found it hard to get a proper look-in into the starting XI. As a result, the Netherlands youth international is pondering over his future at the French capital club heading into the summer.
Indeed, Simons’s current contract with PSG expires on June 30, post which he will be a free agent. Les Parisiens are interested in keeping hold of the exciting youth prospect and have an offer ready for him to sign. But the 18-year-old is yet to be convinced and is considering all his options before penning a new deal.
And monitoring the situation closely, are Barcelona, who retain an interest in their former youth prodigy. Reports ahead of the January transfer window had indicated that the Catalan giants had turned down an opportunity to re-sign Simons from PSG. But that might not be the case if the latest claim from Le Parisien is to be believed.
Barcelona have enjoyed a lot of success by putting their faith in youth of late. Ansu Fati, Pedri, Gavi, Nico Gonzalez, Ferran Torres and Ronald Araujo have all become crucial players under Xavi Hernandez. So, it should not come as a surprise that the Catalans are continuing to invest in young talent in the market.
Barcelona recently secured the signing of Pablo Torre and have their sights set on the recapture of Simons on a free transfer. The 18-year-old is represented by super-agent Mino Raiola, who has a good relationship with club president Joan Laporta. It could help the Blaugrana in negotiations should they decide to act on their interest.
