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Just as rumours of Manchester United’s interest in Paris Saint-Germain’s Xavi Simons were starting to build, a new report this afternoon maintains that interest is likely to amount to nothing.
The 22-year-old spent last season on loan at RB Leipzig in the Bundesliga, where he scored ten goals and provided 15 assists in 42 games.
Leipzig have been keen to take the player, who is rumored to not be favored by PSG coach Luis Enrique, on loan again this season but have faced competition for his services from Bayern Munich, who were said to be willing to purchase him.
United manager Erik ten Hag is known to be a big fan of Simons and spoke about him in glowing terms recently. This fueled speculation that the Red Devils were interested in bringing the Dutchman to Old Trafford.
Meanwhile, PSG’s interest in Jadon Sancho looked to have given United a bargaining chip in the race, with one report even suggesting a double swap deal was being considered, with Manuel Ugarte and Simons coming to Old Trafford and Sancho and Bruno Fernandes going the other way.
However, transfer guru Fabrizio Romano claims that PSG do not in fact want to sell the star.
Moreover, Romano believes that Leipzig is close to landing the talented attacking midfielder on another season-long loan, or at least, believe they are.
“Understand RB Leipzig are now confident to get green light for Xavi Simons,” Romano posted on X this afternoon.
“Transfer battle with Bayern still ongoing but Leipzig CEO Mintzlaff, pushing in talks to bring Xavi back.
“PSG have no plans to sell Xavi, open to loan move… and RB Leipzig hope to get it done.”
🚨⚪️🔴 Understand RB Leipzig are now confident to get green light for Xavi Simons.
Transfer battle with Bayern still ongoing but Leipzig CEO Mintzlaff, pushing in talks to bring Xavi back.
PSG have no plans to sell Xavi, open to loan move… and RB Leipzig hope to get it done. pic.twitter.com/6MsHLD4igs
— Fabrizio Romano (@FabrizioRomano) July 23, 2024
Simons was always a long shot for United fans in a summer where other positions carried a higher priority and where funds were strictly limited.
The news is a long way from Romano’s famous “here we go”, and if United are genuinely in the running, there is still a chance they could swing a deal their way, particularly if the loan of Simons could be used as leverage in negotiations for the sale of Sancho.
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