PSG's Xavi Simons set for shock summer move amid Barcelona and Man City interest

Tom Weber

Updated: 11 Oct 2023 10:00 BST
4 min read

Xavi Simons, RB Leipzig, 2023/24 — © ProShots

RB Leipzig have managed to pull off a coup in convincing Paris Saint-Germain to loan them Xavi Simons for an additional season, according to German media.

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The Dutch wonderkid is once again a sought-after commodity. Having left PSG last year, the French giants utilised a measly €6 million buy-back clause to re-sign him after he tore the Eredivisie to shreds at PSV.

Loaned to Bundesliga outfit Leipzig, the 20-year-old has carried his red-hot PSV form into this season, recording three goals and four assists in seven Bundesliga games, though he did miss a penalty at the weekend as Leipzig dropped points against relegation-battlers Bochum.

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Simons has reportedly aroused the attention of the likes of Barcelona and Man City, which is somewhat ironic considering that he used to be on the books at the former after coming through their famed La Masia academy. The Blaugrana will have to pay big, big money if they want to bring him back.

However, RB Leipzig have also stated their intentions of keeping Simons around, with recently sacked sporting director Max Eberl making this desire public a few weeks ago. Now, it seems the German side are making good progress in achieving this.

Simons to stay?

While it always seemed far-fetched that the Red Bulls would be able to land Simons permanently, it now appears that they could at least utilise him for another season. Originally a one-year loan, BILD reports (via One Football) that Leipzig have held positive talks with PSG regarding a one-year extension.

The report asserts that there is a kind of gentleman's agreement that he will remain if he continues to be a regular starter and if Leipzig qualify for the Champions League again.

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What made this possible is the fact that PSG and Leipzig have a great relationship, with the French giants being second only behind feeder/sister side RB Salzburg in terms of the volume of transfers that Leipzig have done with clubs in recent years.