PSG willing to trade their Mbappe replacement for Man City superstar

Tom Weber

• Updated: 13 Mar 2024 19:57 GMT
• 4 min read

PSG would be prepared to swap Xavi Simons for Bernardo Silva, according to a report.

The Netherlands international has reportedly been earmarked as a potential replacement for Real Madrid-bound Kylian Mbappe, with Simons' outstanding performances on loan at RB Leipzig making him a prime candidate to play an outsized role in Paris next term.

PSG utilised their outrageously cheap €4 million buy-back clause in the 20-year-old's PSV contract last summer and the youngster has established himself as one of Europe's most exciting talents in the Bundesliga this season. However, precisely because Simons was so cheap - and because Bradley Barcola has finally come good - the French giants could be tempted to cash in on him.

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In the event of PSG putting him up for sale, Simons would have no shortage of suitors. RB Leipzig are keen to keep the Dutchman, while Arsenal have been eyeing him for some time. Pep Guardiola, meanwhile, is said to be an admirer of the tricky attacker and it seems that there could be a scenario where the Man City boss gets his hands on Simons.

Simons sacrificed?

According to journalist Rudy Galetti, PSG could look to use Simons as a makeweight in their bid to finally land Bernardo Silva. The Man City superstar is a long-standing target of the Parisians and it is claimed that they will once again try to lure him to the French capital in the summer.

Galetti, writing for CaughtOffside, asserts that PSG could offer Simons in an attempt to break City's resolve, with the treble winners naturally keen to keep hold of Silva. City reportedly view the Dutchman as a potential heir to Kevin de Bruyne, who continues to be linked with a Saudi switch.

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Silva previously hinted that he is keen on a fresh challenge and he reportedly has a €58m release clause in his contract. Barcelona are also long-time admirers, though their financial situation makes a deal very difficult.