Chelsea and Arsenal are both watching Xavi Simons closely. Fabrizio Romano says they’re “attentive” to the RB Leipzig midfielder’s situation this summer.
Simons is open to leaving because Leipzig didn’t qualify for the Champions League, and he wants to play at that level.
Who is Xavi Simons?
Xavi Quentin Shay Simons was born on April 21, 2003, in Amsterdam . He trained at Barcelona’s La Masia academy from 2010 to 2019, then moved to Paris Saint-Germain before heading to PSV on loan in 2022.
At PSV, he scored 19 goals in 34 games and earned national recognition, winning Eredivisie top scorer and other individual awards .
In 2023 Leipzig took him on loan. They eventually signed him permanently in January 2025 for roughly €50 million plus bonuses, tying him to a contract until 2027.
By May 2025 he told Leipzig he wants to leave because they failed to qualify for Champions League football.
In total, for Leipzig he’s played 76 times, scored 21 goals, and made 23 assists. He’s versatile, he can play as a No.10, a winger or even a false nine.
Why Chelsea may have the edge
Chelsea have already signed Liam Delap, João Pedro and Jamie Gittens this summer. But they are still searching for another attacking addition. Simons fits that mold.
More than that, his agent Ali Barat is now closely connected with Chelsea. Barat was named Europe’s top agent in 2023 after brokering Moisés Caicedo’s £115m move to Chelsea, and he’s also represented Nicolas Jackson and other Chelsea-linked deals.
That network gives Chelsea an advantage over Arsenal or others. The picture emerging is that Chelsea may be better placed to make a move once Leipzig is ready to sell.
Arsenal remain serious contenders
Arsenal also want Simons. With Noni Madueke already signed, plus possible Eberechi Eze, they’re still keen to add more creativity depending on what happens with Gabriel Martinelli and Leandro Trossard.
Arsenal qualify for the Champions League early in the season, giving them the platform Simons craves. Their pursuit is described as “attentive” by Romano, though they haven’t made as much progress as Chelsea yet.
Other clubs in the picture
Bayern Munich and Barcelona have also shown interest. Bayern’s sporting director Max Eberl and coach Vincent Kompany reportedly rate Simons highly, and Leipzig are asking for €60–70m, possibly negotiating down to €50m. But Simons reportedly prefers England, and he has turned down Bayern so far.
Barcelona’s sporting director Deco met Simons’ agent and brother recently. But Barca faces financial limits and a permanent deal seems unlikely a loan was discussed, but it may not suit Simons if he wants Champions League football and regular top-flight play.
Manchester United and Liverpool have also been mentioned in earlier reports, but neither is considered a frontrunner at present.
What’s the price tag?
Leipzig bought him for around £43m plus add-ons. Now they want between €60m and €70m (roughly £50–60m), with valuations in the £60–67m range by some outlets based on his performances and age. Bayern may have bid around €50m but got rejected.
A deal could include performance add-ons or sell‑on clauses to sweeten the offer.
The final figure will likely hinge on Champions League qualification. For Chelsea and Arsenal, being in Europe might justify a bigger outlay.
What Xavi brings to the table
Simons is good on the ball, knows how to score, and can play very well anywhere up front. At Arsenal, he’d give Saka and Martinelli a bit of help when they need a rest.
For Chelsea, he could be the creative spark behind Nicolas Jackson or whoever leads the line next season. He’s adaptable and still improving at just 22 years old.
He played in Euro 2024, scoring in the semi‑final against England. That shows he handles big games. And fans often mention his flair and ability to unlock defences when he’s on his game.
Real‑talk: emotional pull and ambition
Simons trained at La Masia and always had a dream of playing at the highest level. Moving to England now feels like the next step, a real ambition. He wants European nights. He wants to develop in a league at pace. And he’s shown he’s willing to move if the situation fits.
He’s reportedly turned his back on Bayern despite their interest. And although Barcelona remains in the picture, they may only manage a loan offer, which doesn’t fully align with his goals this summer.
You can tell he just wants to push himself at the highest level. It’s not really about the money, he looks like someone chasing the right football challenge.
Fans and experts weigh‑in
One reddit commenter on Bayern discussions called a combination of Musiala, Simons and Olise in attack "filthy", showing high excitement for his potential if he joined Bayern but he prefers the Premier League for now.
Another pointed out he still might be inconsistent at a bigger club where he’s not the focal point, noting he thrived at Leipzig in a team built around him.
These perspectives remind us that while his talent is clear, his fit in a new squad is just as important as the fee.
What's The Next Move?
Everywhere is quiet Currently. Everyone's waiting to see who makes the first move. Everyone’s watching, everyone’s talking but nobody’s made a proper move yet.
Xavi Simons has already made it clear he wants out of Leipzig. Not because of drama, but because he’s 22, hungry for Champions League football, and knows his stock is rising fast.
Leipzig respects that, they’re not trying to stand in his way but they won’t let him go for cheap either. They paid good money to bring him in, and they’ll want something close to the €60–70 million range to let him leave.
Chelsea, for now, look the most prepared to pounce. They’ve got the contacts, they’ve got the funds, and they’ve got the relationship with Simons’ inner circle, especially Ali Barat, the same guy who helped broker the Moisés Caicedo deal. If Chelsea decide to go all-in, they’ll likely be first in line.
Arsenal, though, are hanging around. They're interested definitely but haven’t put their cards on the table yet. Maybe they’re weighing whether Simons fits into their current setup or they’re waiting to see how other targets pan out. Either way, they’re in the conversation, and if they decide to step up, things could move fast.
Bayern Munich already tested the waters, reportedly putting in a €50m bid but Leipzig said no.
Xavi doesn’t seem sold on Bayern anyway. Word is, he wants England. He’s not chasing the biggest name on the badge, he wants the right fit and the right project.
Barcelona? That’s the wildcard. They’ve met with his reps, but unless they find a way to offer a permanent deal and not just a loan, it probably won’t be enough. Simons has done the loan thing already.
At this point, he’s not after a short stay, he wants to settle somewhere and play properly.
“As for what happens now, it all depends. Maybe Chelsea finally put in an offer, maybe Arsenal make their move, or Leipzig decide to lower what the price they’re asking for.
One thing’s for sure: this isn’t just paper talk. This is real. It probably won’t be long before one of the clubs makes a real move.
Wanderlustsport Verdict
Xavi Simons has reached a crossroads. He’s talented, motivated, and wants Champions League football. Chelsea have network, interest, and financial readiness. Arsenal have appeal and a place in Europe. Leipzig are willing to sell.
In short: Chelsea might be leading, but it’s far from over. If Arsenal choose to follow through, we could see a real tug‑of‑war. And whatever happens, Simons clearly sees the Premier League as the place where his next chapter should be written.