Manchester United are set to “battle” Liverpool and Manchester City to sign RB Leipzig midfielder Xavi Simons this summer in a red-hot race between the bitter rivals.
The Sun reports Simons, 21, completed a blockbuster switch from Paris Saint-Germain to Leipzig yesterday, where the Dutch international has spent the last eighteen months on loan.
As the Peoples Person yesterday, the transfer amounts to an €80 million total package, with a €55 million initial fee and further add-ons. This equates to a deal worth a potential £67 million, with the up front price being £46 million. There is also a future sell-on clause included in the deal.
The Red Devils hold a long-standing interest in Simons with the attacking midfielder’s outstanding technical ability and strong pressing statistics making him an ideal fit for any top side.
New head coach Ruben Amorim’s 3-4-3 system deploys two number tens either side of a central striker. These attackers must be comfortable operating in tight spaces while retaining strong dribbling and speed to be able to offer a threat behind the defence. They must also have a fierce work-rate as the Portuguese coach demands his team “work like dogs” – starting with the attack.
Simons fits the bit perfectly with a potent pairing of athleticism and technique; which is why the news that the Dutch midfielder had joined Leipzig on a permanent deal would have proven a blow to Old Trafford officials.
However, Bild (as relayed by The Sun) contend the German club are “already open to selling [Simons] for a hefty profit this summer.”
The report reveals Leipzig would be “willing to listen to offers between £58.5m and £67m at the end of the season.”
The contract Simons signed as part of the permanent switch from France to Germany runs only until 2027 – an unusually short deal for such a blockbuster signing, further fuelling the idea Leipzig will look to sell the 21-year-old this summer.
Liverpool and City are said to be interested in the Dutch midfielder as the two clubs begin succession plans for Mohammed Salah (32) and Kevin De Bruyne (33) respectively. But they will face fierce competition from United in what could emerge as a “battle” between the North West rivals.
The Sun also reveals Bayern Munich are in the hunt for Simons after having come close to agreeing a deal to sign him last year.
This is likely to turn into one of the summer’s hottest transfer sagas with Leipzig clearly open to their midfield stalet’s departure, if their considerable demands are met.
Follow us on Bluesky: @peoplesperson.bsky.social
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.
