It’s been claimed that Manchester United and Paris Saint-Germain agreed a €60 million deal for Xavi Simons last summer only for the Dutch international to REJECT the move out of hand.
Simons, 21, scored 19 goals in 34 Eredivisie games last season for PSV after being transferred from PSG, winning the KNVB Beker (Dutch cup) along the way.
PSG then exercised their right to buy back the attacking midfielder last summer and quickly made an assessment on what they would like to do with him for the campaign ahead.
It was decided by bosses at the French club to send Xavi out on loan for the season and he eventually ended up with current club RB Leipzig.
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Simons has again been a hit, scoring nine goals, adding 15 assists, across 42 matches in all competitions for the Red Bulls.
There is strong speculation over his future again and he could well be on the move this summer once he returns to Paris.
Liverpool and Arsenal are among Premier League teams who have been linked with a bid while Barcelona, where Xavi grew up, are also keen to have him back.
However, it could have all been so different for the player and for an underperforming Manchester United.
Bild reports that before the RB Leipzig move was agreed, United made a bid to PSG to take Xavi off their hands on a permanent basis.
The ambitious offer of €60m was accepted by the Ligue 1 giants but the move broke down with Xavi rejecting the opportunity to go to Old Trafford.
Another transfer blow for Ten Hag
That would prove to be a considerable transfer blow for Erik ten Hag as his side have struggled with creating and scoring goals all season long.
New signings who came into the club instead of Simons include Mason Mount, who has shown no form, and loanee Sofyan Amrabat, in another move which hasn’t worked out.
Ten Hag has also had trouble with attackers Marcus Rashford, banished from the first team in January, and Jadon Sancho, who has made it to the Champions League final on loan with Borussia Dortmund after falling out with the manager.
The Dutchman is now expected to leave his post at the end of the season with Man Utd disappointing this season and having no chance of qualifying for the riches of the newly-designed Champions League.
