- EXCLUSIVE from Graeme Bailey
Premier League quartet Arsenal, Aston Villa, Chelsea and Manchester City are big fans of Xavi Simons but the Paris Saint-Germain star is pushing for a return to Barcelona instead.
HITC understands that the dynamic Dutch international – shining on loan at RB Leipzig after sharing the Eredivisie’s Golden Boot during a spell at PSV Eindhoven last season – could be on the move again this summer.
Paris Saint-Germain are expected to let Xavi Simons leave the Parc des Princes on yet another temporary basis, perhaps with the hope of making a big-money sale later down the line.
We have been told that there is interest from three of the Premier League’s top five; Arsenal, Aston Villa, Chelsea and Pep Guardiola’s title-winning Manchester City side.
However, Barcelona are also interested, and the Camp Nou is Xavi’s preferred destination.
Premier League interest in Barcelona target Xavi Simons
Interestingly, the Amsterdam-born attacker was named after the Blaugrana’s current head coach – and legendary midfielder – Xavi Hernandez.
He may also feel as if he has unfinished business in Catalonia. 21-year-old Xavi Simons spent nearly a decade in Barcelona’s fabled La Masia academy but never made a first-team appearance before joining PSG back in 2019.
Five years on, Xavi has certainly lived up to his reputation as one of the most talented forwards of his generation. He scored 22 goals and set up 12 more for PSV in 2022/23. Since moving to Germany, playing in one of Europe’s major leagues for the first time, Xavi has 10 goals and 15 assists, his scintillating performances helping full the void created by Christopher Nkunku’s move from Leipzig to Chelsea.
“Can we talk Champions League? Can I say watching Xavi Simons against Real Madrid, Leipzig versus Real Madrid, was kind of like a coming out parade in respects of a performance from someone,” Ian Wright told his Wrighty’s House podcast in the spring, raving about a player who tore his beloved Arsenal apart in Europe back in late-2022.
“He was brilliant. He was brilliant to watch. Unbelievable.
“And, we are talking about someone who is on loan from PSG to Leipzig, and he is getting the chance to play against arguably one of the greatest teams in the world, Real Madrid, and playing like that.”
Arsenal keen as Xavi likened to Robben and Van Persie
PSG reportedly value Xavi at £50 million (90Min). The likes of Man City, Arsenal, Chelsea and Aston Villa may be in a position to pay such a sum, but we understand that the perennially cash-strapped Barcelona would prefer a loan deal at this stage.
PSG’s eventual decision may depend on the size of the offers they receive.
“I think it is obvious that he will end up at the top,” Dutch reporter Valentijn Driessen tells De Telegraaf, likening Xavi to two of the most iconic Oranje stars of the modern era.
“He has an awful lot of qualities. This is a player who has the potential to reach the level of (Arjen) Robben and (Robin) Van Persie.”
Interestingly, we have been told that Aston Villa are in talks to sign another Paris Saint-Germain player, the Spain international Carlos Soler.
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