Xavi Simons drops Barcelona return hint

Stuart Telford

• 16 Feb 2023 14:07 GMT
• 3 min read

Xavi Simons is now impressing with PSV Eindhoven in his native Netherlands, but the former PSG midfielder holds fond memories of his formative years at Barcelona.

Simons is named after Barca manager Xavi Hernandez, and he spent nine years at La Masia between 2010 and 2019 before leaving for Paris Saint-Germain, where he was handed his senior professional debut at 17.

With first-team opportunities at a premium at the Parc des Princes, he left for PSV last summer, and has impressed under Ruud van Nistelrooy, with 10 goals and six assists in 21 Eridivisie games for his new employers.

READ: Who is Xavi Simons? The ex-Barca & PSG wonderkid starring at PSV

Simons also made his Netherlands debut at the World Cup in Qatar, coming off the bench in the Oranje's 3-1 win over the USA in the last 16, ending any chance Spain had of capping him.

But Spain, or rather Catalonia and FC Barcelona, remain close to his heart.

Friends and family in Barcelona

"Gavi and I crossed paths living at La Masia," Simons told Marca. "We always had a good relationship even though I was a year younger. I met Alejandro Balde, who has a big brother just like me. We've been great friends all our lives and still have a lot of contact.

"I'm very grateful to Barcelona. I'll always have a lot of affection for the club and the people there. My family still lives there. It's a very important city for me."

READ: Neymar 'like a father' to former PSG prodigy

Simons remains under contract at PSV valid until June 2027, although PSG reportedly have a buyback clause well inside the €13.4m he is now rated at by FootballTransfers' in-house algorithm.

Simons also expressed fond memories of Paris in his Marca interview, but he poured cold water on the suggestion he would make a swift return to the Parc des Princes.

"There is a repurchase option," he admitted. "But the one who decides is me. In the end, I have the last word."