Xavi Simons makes transfer preference clear as Man City eye Chelsea hijack

Chelsea have been linked with a move for RB Leipzig star Xavi Simons all summer long but saw a switch called into question with fresh interest from one of their Premier League rivals

RB Leipzig star Xavi Simons is still prioritising a move to Chelsea despite growing interest from elsewhere. Chelsea have been eyeing the Dutchman for the majority of the summer, with a £60m switch touted.

But the Blues’ plans were thrown into doubt over recent days with rival clubs also plotting a swoop for Simons. Premier League rivals Manchester City were credited with an interest, while German giants Bayern Munich are also keeping tabs on him as they attempt to find a replacement for Kingsley Coman – who has completed a move to Saudi outfit Al-Nassr.

Fortunately for Chelsea, it appears that Simons own wishes could go a long way in deciding his immediate future. According to ESPN, the 22-year-old has informed Leipzig chiefs that he only wants to explore a move to Chelsea.

The German club’s head coach Ole Werner recently spoke out on Simons’ future and admitted that it was business as usual. He said: “Xavi has had a good training camp despite all of the news swirling around him.

“He’s proven that in the friendly matches. As long as he is here, he is part of the team and can be a very important part. In that respect, I am planning normally with him.“

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Simons would become Leipzig’s second big-money sale to a Premier League club this summer following Benjamin Sesko’s move to Manchester United. Meanwhile, he would also become Chelsea’s ninth signing of the summer albeit Enzo Maresca remains dissatisfied having requested a new defender following Levi Colwill’s long-term injury.

Speaking ahead of this weekend’s Premier League opener vs Crystal Palace, the Italian said: “I think we need a central defender. We are looking for an internal solution but as I said, the club know exactly what I think.

He added: “We have a fantastic squad. We are happy with the squad we are, no doubt. But we said many times that when the window is open, anything can happen.”

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Chelsea have also been linked with Manchester United misfit Alejandro Garnacho. Meanwhile, A move to Man City always seemed unlikely for Simons given Pep Guardiola’s complaints that his squad was too big.

“Too many people,” he said. “It’s not about Eddy [Ederson], today [there] was [no] Rodri, Phil, Kovacic, Savinho and Josko. On the bench we had Nathan [Aké] and Gündo [Ilkay Gündogan]. I like a deep squad to compete in all competitions but I don’t want to leave players at home. It’s not healthy. You cannot create a good vibe or atmosphere to compete.

“The club has known [about] it since last season but the situation is what it is. In the next two weeks, people will talk with players and agents to find a solution. We have to reduce the squad because it will be difficult to sustain the vibe of the team.”

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