Manchester United appear poised to secure the services of RB Leipzig’s highly-rated playmaker, Xavi Simons, as he seems destined for a Premier League move amid interest from Liverpool.
The Red Devils are determined to bolster their squad following a dismal season, which was compounded on Sunday by a 15th league defeat to Wolves. This has left them languishing in 14th place, just two points ahead of West Ham in 17th.
With their lowest-ever Premier League points tally now inevitable, Manchester United are pinning their hopes on Europa League success to salvage their season. Recruitment guru Christopher Vivell is on the hunt for reinforcements as manager Ruben Amorim seeks to make significant squad improvements. Central to these plans is Dutch international Simons.
Sky Germany’s Florian Plettenberg has reported that Simons, contracted to Leipzig until 2027, is attracting interest from top clubs including United and Liverpool. Leipzig have set a €80 million (£69 million) asking price for the talented midfielder, who could be on the move this summer.
Simons, when asked about his future, said: “I’m still a young player with many ambitions, and the club is aware of that. Right now, my focus is on performing well in upcoming fixtures. After that, we’ll assess the situation.”
Intriguingly, reports emerged of a staggering €135 million (£116 million) Manchester United bid for Simons, puzzling some given Leipzig’s explicit demands. Spanish outlet Fichajes underscores Simons as a priority for both United and Liverpool, with the 22-year-old demonstrating maturity and creativity throughout the campaign. German publication Bild adds that his versatility aligns well with both clubs’ aspirations.
Further heightening the intrigue, transfer specialist Fabrizio Romano suggested that Simons’ ‘most likely’ destination is the Premier League. Paris Saint-Germain, who sold him to Leipzig for €50 million in January, maintain a watchful eye due to a sell-on clause in their previous deal.
Romano took to social media platform X to note: “Xavi Simons plans for a summer move are a concrete possibility. Premier League sides have been notified, with the fee expected to be around €75 million. His dream of joining Barça seems unlikely for the upcoming window.”
For Manchester United, Simons could be a crucial piece in their bid to restore former glories amidst fierce competition from their league rivals.
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