Chelsea are keeping a close eye on Xavi Simons and his situation at RB Leipzig, football.london understands, as the Blues prepare for Christopher Nkunku’s inevitable departure this summer.
Nkunku wants to move on from Stamford Bridge after two rather frustrating seasons – on a personal note, at least – and has plenty of interest from elsewhere in Europe. Bayern Munich’s fondness of the Frenchman has never gone away while Manchester United were also credited with an interest in the 27-year-old forward earlier in the window.
Chelsea have already brought in the likes of Joao Pedro, Jamie Gittens and Liam Delap this summer. With the additions of Estevao Willian and Kendry Paez, too, Enzo Maresca has plenty of options. However, with Nkunku expected to depart and the confirmation of Noni Madueke’s move to Arsenal on Friday afternoon, there is room for fresh faces in SW6.
Simons is someone who has been on the club’s radar for a while now and with the Netherlands international said to be looking for a move away from Leipzig this summer, numerous Premier League clubs have been informed. Among them are Chelsea, who are also interested in signing Morgan Rogers from Aston Villa, although the England international is set to cost north of £80million.
It appears Simons would be the cheaper option of the two, with some German news outlets suggesting the 22-year-old attacker is available for €80million (£69.3million). In Simons, Chelsea would be getting a hugely talented young footballer who has shifted around in recent years and is on the lookout for a permanent home.
After coming through Barcelona’s famous academy, ‘La Masia’, Simons failed to agree a new contract with the Catalan club and instead moved to Paris Saint-Germain. Signing a three-year deal with the French giants, he spent three years there before returning to his homeland of the Netherlands to ply his trade with PSV Eindhoven.
PSG were not too keen on allowing Simons to leave on a permanent basis but PSV were insistent on this being the case. PSG inserted a €6million (£5.2million) buy-back clause in the Dutchman’s contract in Eindhoven. He then went onto have an oustanding season in the Eredivisie and it was no surprise when PSG triggered said clause the following summer.
Simons returned to Paris but the French club decided on loaning him out elsewhere. RB Leipzig then came calling, with the German club signing Simons on a season-long loan deal. Die Roten Bullen – which translates to ‘The Red Bulls’ in English – enjoyed Simons so much that they decided to sign him on loan for a second successive season.
The Netherlands playmaker then agreed to sign for Leipzig on a permanent basis on January 30, 2025, with the German club breaking their transfer record to sign him for €50million (£43.3million) plus €31million (£26.8million) in potential add-ons. Around six months after the permanent deal was agreed, it appears Simon wants out of the Red Bull Arena.
Chelsea very much like the look of him – and it is no wonder should Simons’ comments from last year come to be true. He started speaking about Jamal Musiala, once of Chelsea’s academy for around eight years and now a well renowned world-class talent, ahead of Leipzig’s clash with Bayern Munich, where Simons spoke about he and the Germany international playing against each other at youth level throughout the years.
Simons was then asked whether he sees any similarities between himself and Musiala. And his answer makes for fascinating reading.
When speaking to the Bundesliga website in February 2024, Simons said this on Musiala: “He’s a really good guy. I know him from the youth teams. We played against each other a lot. I know him, he’s a really good player, quality technical. I think everything is really good, top I would say. We’re both the same age and good players.
“Yes, I would say [similar player to Musiala] maybe in terms of technique. He’s a player that can make a difference, just like me, I would say.”
Getting Musiala back would be the dream for Chelsea, but just that. It is not really a possibility. Simons, on the other hand, is a genuine possibility for the Blues this summer.
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