Southampton are looking to raid Chelsea once again, this time targeting a deal to bring youngster Xavier Simons to the South Coast.
That’s according to Goal, who claim that Southampton are looking to sign Simons at the end of the season.
Simons is out of contract this summer and Southampton are now looking to swoop in.
Simons wouldn’t actually be free as Southampton would have to pay compensation to Chelsea – and the Saints aren’t alone in the race.
Brighton, Norwich and Watford all fancy Simons too, and Chelsea are in a fight to keep the midfielder at Stamford Bridge.
Staying at Chelsea is the priority for Simons, but he wants guarantees that he will be loaned out next season.
That seems a fairly reasonable demand and one that Chelsea will surely accept given their propensity for loan deals.
Southampton certainly like what Chelsea have going on in their youth ranks, and a deal for Simons would be their fourth raid on the Blues in the space of a year.
Right back Valentino Livramento and centre back Dynel Simeu both left Chelsea for Southampton in permanent deals.
Chelsea striker Armando Broja is currently on loan at Southampton too, and Simons could become the latest addition.
Formerly of the Brentford youth academy, Simons is predominantly a holding midfielder and has played 12 times in Premier League 2 this season.
Simons even made his senior debut in an EFL Cup tie against Brentford earlier this season and seems highly rated at Stamford Bridge.
The 19-year-old clearly doesn’t want to stall his career, and having seen Livramento shine at Southampton, you could hardly blame him for being tempted.
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