Manchester United have submitted a €135 million bid to sign RB Leipzig midfielder Xavi Simons, according to a report.
Spanish outlet Fichajes contend the Red Devils have tabled the stunning offer, which would constitute a club-record in the transfer market, to buttress Ruben Amorim’s squad with a “complete player” in a key position.
The Portuguese coach has struggled to implement his trademark 3-4-2-1 formation since arriving at Old Trafford from Sporting CP in November to replace Erik ten Hag.
The system relies upon two attacking midfielders stationed behind the striker. These players must be technically strong and capable of operating in tight spaces, while retaining the speed and skill to offer a threat in behind.
Amorim has found the best balance in the midfield pivot behind the front line with Bruno Fernandes deployed in a deeper position. But this has removed United’s best attacking threat from the attacking unit at a time when the team are desperately short on goals.
The striking partnership of Rasmus Hojlund and Joshua Zirkzee have combined for just seven goals in the Premier League while the club’s two best paid attackers – Marcus Rashford and Jadon Sancho – are currently on loan at rivals.
The other best United attacker this year has been Ivorian international Amad, who has firmly established himself as one of the best young wingers in England this year.
However, Amorim’s system often deploys wingers in the wing-back position to help balance the team and prevent it devolving into a five-man defence, rather than the three-man set-up it functions optimally with.
United’s head coach has found great success playing Amad in the right wing-back position as the 22-year-old’s work-rate matches his superb technique and creativity. But this repeats the issue with moving Fernandes into midfield; it deprives the attack of its most effective members.
Which is why a pursuit of Simons – the Dutch attacking midfielder who has shone for RB Leipzig in Germany – makes complete sense for United.
Simons would offer Amorim the perfect profile as a number ten with Fichajes asserting the 22-year-old combines “excellent ball control and ability to reach the opponent’s penalty area.”
A report relayed by The Peoples Person revealed Simons is “ready to leave” Germany this summer with a host of clubs across Europe interested in a deal, including bitter rivals Liverpool. And Fichajes states United have now “submitted a €135 million offer” to Leipzig for their prized jewel in a bid to win this red-hot race for the Dutch international.
However, this figure feels vastly inflated with a separate report from Spain detailing an €80 million asking price has been set by Leipzig for Simons. This has been mirrored by other outlets in recent months.
This does not rule out the idea that United have submitted a bid for Simons, who has been a long-term target at Old Trafford even prior to Amorim’s arrival. But it is unlikely the Red Devils would sanction such a costly pursuit at a time when the club’s finances are strained by the pressure of PSR.
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Darragh Fox
Darragh is a writer for The Peoples Person who spent three years as a history graduate slowly realising football was by far the most interesting thing to write about.
