Star who outshone Mbappe says Leeds want him, could now cost £40m

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Moses Simon could end up costing £40 million with Premier League duo Leeds United and Newcastle going head-to-head for the Nantes winger, an agent close to the deal tells Own Goal Nigeria. 

As an unfancied, quietly-impressive Nantes side battered Paris Saint-Germain 3-1 last month, the most influential attacker on the Stade de la Beaujoire was not Neymar, nor Kylian Mbappe. It wasn’t even Lionel Messi.

With just four minutes on the clock, Moses Simon skipped down the left before sliding an inch-perfect through ball into Randal Kolo Muani with the outside of his boot.

It was an assist devastating in it’s simplicity. A moment of magic any of the attacking superstars at the other end of the pitch would have been proud to call their own. 

In truth, it was merely a continuation of Simon’s stunning form since the turn of the year. He was Nigeria’s best player at the African Cup of Nations.

And, just six days before Nantes stunned Mauricio Pochettino’s star-studded side, Simon scored a brilliant free-kick winner, albeit against somewhat lesser opposition, in Reims. 

“We didn’t handle the left-hand side of their attack,” bemoaned Pochettino, via Own Goal Nigeria. 

Is Moses Simon heading to the Premier League?

The downside, as far as Nantes are concerned, is that the two forwards who combined so brilliantly against PSG could both have new clubs by the time 2022/23 kicks off. Kolo Muani is joining Eintracht Frankfurt on a free transfer. 

Nouveau-riche Newcastle United are ready to stump up £17 million for Simon, meanwhile, offering the former Gent winger £100,000-a-week at St James’ Park.

Eddie Howe’s side want a winger to ease the burden on Allan Saint-Maximin and Simon certainly fits the bill. 

Newcastle will face competition from Leeds United, however. Simon has already confirmed that the Yorkshire giants made an approach in January. But do Leeds have the financial muscle to go head-to-head with their Saudi-backed rivals? 

“My agent told me about some offers. Leeds United came calling with strong offer (in January),” Simon admitted a few weeks back. 

According to an agent close to Simon, Nantes are demanding £25 million up front. With add-ons included, the deal could reach a staggering £40 million.