Xavi Simons: The one KEY difference between Arsenal & Man Utd's pursuit

Cameron Smith

• Updated: 17 Jun 2024 12:54 BST
• 3 min read

Arsenal and Manchester United both want to sign Netherlands international Xavi Simons, but there is one key difference in their respective pursuits.

Simons, 21, spent last season on loan at RB Leipzig and he could leave Paris Saint-Germain once again this summer.

The Dutchman contributed 25 goals and assists in 43 appearances during the 2023-24 campaign, and his form at Leipzig has attracted interest from the likes of Arsenal, Man Utd, Manchester City, Bayern Munich and Barcelona.

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However, Arsenal want to sign Simons on loan, while Man Utd are eager to purchase the Dutchman on a permanent deal, according to CaughtOffside.

Erik ten Hag’s side remain focused on landing Crystal Palace winger Michael Olise, but the Red Devils are eyeing a move for Simons in the event their Olise pursuit fails.

Jarrad Branthwaite is also a key target for Man Utd, while Arsenal are firmly in the race to sign his Everton team-mate Amadou Onana.

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Will Xavi Simons leave PSG?

PSG reportedly don’t want to sell Simons on a permanent deal, which may give Arsenal the edge over Man Utd as things stand.

The 21-year-old has played just 11 competitive games for the Parisians and was sold to PSV Eindhoven in 2022, before PSG re-signed him last summer thanks to a buy-back clause.

Simons, who started in the Netherlands’ Euro 2024 opener against Poland, has three years left on his current contract at PSG, while he has an Estimated Transfer Value (ETV) of €49.1 million.

If PSG decide to keep Simons, regardless of whether he wants to leave, the Dutchman will compete with the likes of Bradley Barcola and Ousmane Dembele for a starting spot in Luis Enrique’s side.

Kylian Mbappe’s departure may mean that PSG opt to retain Simons in order to combat the loss of arguably Europe’s best player.