Potential Messi replacement dismisses PSG transfer claims

Stuart Telford

• 2 Apr 2023 06:58 CDT
• 3 min read

Xavi Simons has been linked with a return to Paris Saint-Germain next summer as a replacement for Lionel Messi, who could return to Barcelona on a free transfer.

Messi and Simons were PSG teammates for a single season after the Argentine followed the Dutch youngster in making the move from Barcelona to Paris in 2021.

At opposite ends of their careers, both had once been crown jewels of the fabled academy at La Masia, but Simons grew frustrated at his first-team opportunities, or lack thereof, at PSG.

READ: Real Madrid to sign ex-Barcelona and PSG wonderkid?

He joined PSV Eindhoven on a free transfer last summer - although PSG have a buyback clause of €12 million - and has since tallied 13 goals and seven assists from 27 Eredivisie games, playing himself into Ronal Koeman's Netherlands squad.

Inevitably, his form has caught the eye, and PSG have been backed to exercise their buy-back option with Messi seemingly edging closer to a Barcelona return.

But Simons is having none of it.

READ: Who is Xavi Simons? The ex-Barcelona & PSG wonderkid starring at PSV

Simons committed to PSV

"People always ask me about PSG's clause to bring me back, but I also say: 'I signed with PSV Eindhoven for five years, no?'" he told ”, told Dutch daily newspaper Algemeen Dagblad.

"PSV trust me. I want to do great things here."

Despite the €12m clause, it is understood that Simons has the final say, and is at liberty to reject a move even if Paris came back in for him.

Messi has refused to extend his own contract at PSG, meanwhile, and Barca's vice president Rafa Yuste has publicly admitted that they are doing everything they can to being the player back to Camp Nou.

A Messi/Simons reunion at Barcelona seems unlikely too, however. Messi himself reportedly told old friend and current Barca manager Xavi - whom Simons is named after - not to re-sign the youngster last year as he 'hadn't progressed enough.'