Chelsea are reportedly edging closer to a deal for RB Leipzig’s Xavi Simons, with the Blues expected to submit an official bid soon.
The 22-year-old midfielder, who was once a wonderkid at Barcelona, is likely to leave the Bundesliga club this summer after they failed to secure Champions League football.
Talks have been progressing well between Chelsea and Leipzig representatives over a deal, with a verbal agreement ‘almost done’, according to German journalist Florian Plettenberg.
But Chelsea are thought to be holding off from submitting their first bid for the £60million-rated attacker while they try to offload more players.
Enzo Maresca and club officials are meanwhile weighing up an offer for Argentine winger Alejandro Garnacho, who is set to leave Manchester United after a fallout with Ruben Amorim.
The 21-year-old has reportedly ‘made Chelsea his priority this summer’ after previously holding talks over a switch in January.
Chelsea are reportedly edging closer to completing a deal for RB Leipzig’s Xavi Simons
They’re also interested in pursuing Alejandro Garnacho, who is expected to leave Manchester United this summer
Any deal for Xavi Simons is believed to be independent from negotiations with United over Garnacho.
Deals for both players may not be complete until later in the window however, as Chelsea try to free-up room in what has become a bloated frontline.
They’ve already offloaded Jadon Sancho, who returned to Man United following the end of his loan, and Noni Madueke but deals for the exits of Christopher Nkunku and Raheem Sterling are yet to be finalised.
Club officials are also said to be open to offers for striker Nicolas Jackson, who had been the subject of interest from the Red Devils earlier in the window.
Chelsea insist they are in no rush to sell, and value Jackson, who they signed two years ago for £32m, at £100m despite the search to find an upgrade.
Attacking midfielder Joao Felix also completed a move away from the club, joining his Portuguese team-mate Cristiano Ronaldo at Al Nassr this week in a deal which could rise to £43m.
Despite their interest in Garnacho and Simons, Chelsea have already strengthened their squad in attacking areas this summer, with Joao Pedro and Liam Delap making their debuts in the Club World Cup.
They activated a £30m release clause in Delap’s Ipswich Town contract earlier in the window before splashing out £60m to bring Pedro in from Brighton.
Any deal for Simons is thought to be independent of Chelsea’s interest in Garnacho
Exciting young winner Jamie Gittens also joined from Borussia Dortmund in a deal worth £55m, while highly-rated Brazilian teenager Estevao will arrive from Palmeiras for £29m.
The new recruits will no-doubt face competition for their places when they arrive in west London however, with Maresca’s side already boasting the likes of Cole Palmer and Pedro Neto.
The Blues will be making their return to the Champions League next season after securing a fourth-placed finish last term.
