Man Utd sent RED FLAG over Xavi Simons: Ego as big as his paycheque

Robin Bairner

Updated: 10 Mar 2025 18:43 GMT
4 min read

Manchester United have been given cause to think again over a summer bid for RB Leipzig playmaker Xavi Simons.

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Although the Netherlands international only completed a permanent move to the Bundesliga side in January after spending the previous 18 months on loan from PSG, there were instantly rumours that he could still move on in the summer.

Current ETV

Xavi Simons

M (L)

RB Leipzig

Xavi Simons

M (L)

RB Leipzig

ETV Range

€62.9M - €76.9M

Leipzig splashed out a club-record €50 million on the 21-year-old with the aim of cashing in on him around the €70m mark during the next transfer window.

As well as interest from Man Utd, there have been reports that Liverpool and Manchester City could make a move – yet none of these clubs will have been impressed by the player’s actions based on a report made by Sport Bild.

© IMAGO - Xavi Simons: Causing unrest in Leipzig

Leipzig regret making Simons deal?

The German source indicates that Simons is a major source of aggravation in the dressing room and there are further concerns that he is not pulling his weight in the team. Indeed, it’s claimed that he is even costing Leipzig at present.

Sport Bild claims he has an “ego at least as big as his paycheque”, which is the largest in the history of his side as it is worth an estimated €13m per year.

But this is not the only issue. Leipzig are grumbling in the background that Simons has not become the marquee player of the club off the field. It is claimed that his large entourage have too much control over which media and sponsorship opportunities the player commits to, with the management of the side of the belief that he is not doing enough.

The overriding problem, though, comes on the field.

“For weeks, Simons has not lived up to his expectations and his prominent position in the squad. He does not decide games, but has increasingly become a source of uncertainty, and is responsible for goals conceded,” Sport Bild reports.

As report cards go, it’s a worrying one for Xavi Simons and is certainly not an assessment that will attract a big-money bid from Man Utd or anyone else.