Chelsea have reportedly accelerated their efforts to sign Xavi Simons from RB Leipzig and beat rivals Arsenal for the Dutchman.
According to Sebastien Vidal, Chelsea are moving closer to advancing for Xavi Simons at the moment. The Blues intend to beat rivals Arsenal for the RB Leipzig star, with talks on the player side accelerating, as Enzo Maresca wants to land the Dutchman.
Xavi Simons indicated early on that his stay at RB Leipzig may be short-lived, having only signed a deal until the summer of 2027 back in January of this year. The German side reportedly paid a sum of around £43 million (€50 million) plus significant add-ons for the permanent signing of the Dutch playmaker back in the winter window, as PSG were keen to offload a few of their loan stars.
The deal was certainly designed for a quick sale this summer, as there is sufficient interest in the Dutch playmaker. As per Sebastien Vidal, Leipzig are ready to part ways with the attacker for around £52 million, which might be upwards of €60 million.
Chelsea and Arsenal are among those keen on Xavi Simons, with the latter considering adding another attacker after landing Noni Madueke. The Gunners are also closing in on signing Viktor Gyokeres, but Mikel Arteta wants another versatile option he could use in an attacking midfield role as well as on the left wing, as Eberechi Eze is also a target.
Eze is probably considered their primary choice, although the links to Simons could be designed to accelerate either move. Chelsea are the ones accelerating for the Simons deal, with talks with the player side advancing at a rapid rate at the current moment.
Chelsea keen to land Xavi Simons
Despite signing a host of attackers, including Liam Delap, Jamie Gittens and Joao Pedro, Chelsea are intent on making another signing in the forward areas. They had wanted Mohammed Kudus before he joined Tottenham, and now that they are chasing the £52 million-rated Bundesliga playmaker Simons, it shows that Enzo Maresca might view a permanent place for Cole Palmer on the right wing.
The price point mentioned by Sebastien Vidal might suit Chelsea, who could begin club-to-club talks with Leipzig over a move. Xavi Simons might be open to the idea, given he is keen to leave his current surroundings after the German side failed to qualify for the Champions League or any form of European football for the upcoming season.
