After protracted negotiations with Brentford, Manchester United finally secured the signing of Bryan Mbeumo.
Talks lasted for over a month and despite the Cameroonian making his intentions clear quite early on, the Bees tried to shift the goalposts and even tried to sell the player to Tottenham Hotspur.
Given the many twists and turns the Red Devils were facing, it was normal for INEOS to keep backup options ready.
RB Leipzig’s Xavi Simons was one name being monitored, with the Dutchman a long-term target for the club. The only reason a move for Mbeumo was preferred was due to his Premier League experience.
Xavi Simons a long-term United target
The Germans have been demanding €80 million, and while United opted to head in a different direction, Chelsea have grabbed the advantage.
Direct talks have been advancing between both clubs with CaughtOffside now claiming that the 22-year-old has agreed personal terms with the Blues.
“Chelsea have reached an agreement on personal terms with RB Leipzig attacking midfielder Xavi Simons, sources have told CaughtOffside.
“Having consulted figures with close links to the agents industry, CaughtOffside have learned that Simons’ move to Chelsea is edging closer.
Move to Chelsea edges closer
“Simons has had a host of interest this summer, with a move away from Leipzig long felt as “inevitable” and now looking “closer to becoming a reality”, according to one source.”
After scoring 11 times and assisting a further eight goals last season, the ex-Paris Saint-Germain player was keen on a different challenge.
His agent had been trying to get his client a move to the Premier League and it seems Xavi Simons’ wish is finally set to come true.
United fans will not mind. They will be hoping new signings Bryan Mbeumo and Matheus Cunha can dovetail nicely this pre-season.
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Ayantan Chowdhury
Ayantan has worked for 10 years in the Indian sports media industry, writing for the biggest newspapers and websites but his heart was always set on writing about his favourite club. Currently an editor at The Peoples Person. You can follow him on X: @ayantanc_25
