Barcelona are plotting a surprise raid on PSG that threatens to disrupt Arsenal’s summer transfer ambitions.
According to a report from Spain, the cash-strapped Camp Nou outfit are seeking to secure a deal to sign Xavi Simons from the Ligue 1 champions.
He is a player who has appeared on the Gunners’ radar, with FootballTransfers having revealed that Mikel Arteta is a long-time fan of the Dutchman and keeping tabs on his progress.
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Pedro Neto had been the Gunners’ leading target at that time, but after the Portuguese suffered yet another injury setback, there is doubt over what steps the Emirates club will now take as they seek a wide attacker.
Simons would certainly be in the picture at Arsenal, yet Barcelona also want the 21-year-old, who spent nine years in their La Masia academy.
El Chiringuito reports that Barca will try to negotiate with PSG for the player. It indicates that relationships with the Ligue 1 side have improved lately, despite the Parisians dumping Xavi’s side out of the Champions League.
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Barcelona’s financial position is an impediment to a deal. However, a loan could be conducted for a player who finds himself at RB Leipzig this season under a similar move.
And it is easy to understand why the Blaugrana are so eager to welcome him back.
He represents the traditions of the club in terms of his technical ease, his ability to play in multiple positions and, of course, the offensive quality that he possesses having scored seven goals and created 11 more in the Bundesliga this season.
What next for Xavi Simons?
There are numerous steps that Simons could take next.
RB Leipzig have hinted that they expect him to remain with them for the next campaign, while it has also been mooted that PSG will recall him to act as Kylian Mbappe’s replacement at Parc des Princes.
Arsenal’s interest is well established while this bid from Barcelona makes sense from the Catalans’ perspective but is equally unlikely to come to fruition.
