Xavi Simons to Arsenal: How €85m Liverpool transfer can make DREAM deal become a reality

Robin Bairner

• 10 Apr 2024 11:06 BST
• 12 min read

Arsenal have long coveted the signature of Xavi Simons.

The Netherlands international midfielder finds himself on loan at RB Leipzig this season after returning to PSG last summer.

As FootballTransfers has revealed, Arsenal have been monitoring the performance of the 20-year-old while in the Bundesliga. His return of nine goals and 13 assists has been eye-catching.

Despite the Gunners scouting Simons, their expectations of being able to sign the former Barcelona youth have been low. He is, after all, expected to return to Parc des Princes to become Kylian Mbappe’s heir when the forward departs for Real Madrid at the end of his contract in June.

But the situation may not be so simple – and that plays into the hands of Arsenal.

The Telegraph reports that PSG and Barcelona are fighting over the signature of Liverpool winger Luis Diaz. It is a race that the Emirates club should be backing the Ligue 1 outfit in.

Playing style: Simons compared to Diaz

After all, Diaz is a Simons clone in terms of the manner he plays and throws into doubt PSG’s true plans for the Dutchman.

Both attackers can be characterised as a combination of a wide playmaker and inside forward. They often appear between the lines when in possession of the ball and create opportunities from both the flanks and the centre. The pair are also heavily involved in ball possession.

For the moment, Diaz is a superior player to Simons, according to data analytics firm SciSports, suggesting this would be a smart short-term move.

Diaz a better play... for now

Door opens for Arsenal to sign Simons

Arsenal, though, want to play the long game with Simons.

His versatility is admired at the Emirates while his goal production clearly cannot be ignored.

SciSports suggests that at present, he would only be a rotation player for the Gunners but has the capacity to become a key figure at the club.

His potential SciSkill of 129.5 is higher than the likes of Martin Odegaard’s currently, showing just how highly rated his is. Indeed, there are only eight players in the world who presently have a better mark.

But it’s not all good news for the Gunners.

Like them, PSG are investing in the future at present, so it would be surprising if the Ligue 1 champions were to shell out €85m on a 27-year-old Diaz.

Simons to Arsenal remains a dream, but as rumours swirl over PSG’s interest in the Colombia international, it is one that remains alive.