Manchester United has stepped up its efforts to get Xavi Simons, hoping to outwit Arsenal and other top European teams in the competition for the player’s services.
Sir Jim Ratcliffe’s recently established football operations staff is expected to oversee a busy summer transfer window as United looks to bolster a side that finished the season below expectations despite winning the FA Cup.
After winning the FA Cup, Erik ten Hag was able to keep his job as manager and is now keen to strengthen his team’s midfield and defence. If the two teams can agree on a transfer fee, Jarrad Branthwaite of Everton might be signed to help with the defensive difficulties
Xavi Simons has become a top priority, but the midfield is still a crucial area of attention. Simons, who trained at Barcelona’s La Masia programme, joined PSG in 2021 and then looked for regular first-team opportunities at PSV. PSG activated a £5 million repurchase clause as a result of his incredible 2022–23 Eredivisie season, in which he scored 19 goals and gave eight assists.
Simons might choose to rejoin PSG’s team under Luis Enrique, go on a permanent transfer, or take up a new loan, according to rumours. With a large amount of the transfer price owed to PSV and the financial ramifications of a permanent move, a loan seems like the best course of action.
In addition to United, the 21-year-old has drawn the interest of Arsenal, Manchester City, and Bayern Munich. But Simons intends to hold off on disclosing his choice until after the Europeans. He said in an interview with Eindhoven Dagblad: “I’ll decide after the European Championships and a little vacation. Since the competition is my top priority right now, I want to concentrate on it. I’ll talk to PSG thereafter.
Acquiring Simons would be a tactically astute move for Manchester United, augmenting their offensive capabilities in the midfield. He can adjust to the demands of the Premier League thanks to his versatility and track record in the Eredivisie and Bundesliga.
By bringing in young, talented players who can produce results on a regular basis, Ratcliffe’s team hopes to learn from past failures. With his combination of talent, vision, and a desire to succeed on larger platforms, Simons is a fantastic fit for this description.
As the transfer window progresses, the pursuit of Simons will be closely monitored by United supporters, as they hope the team can withstand competition and land a player who will be a crucial addition to their midfield.
For an offensive player, Simons has a lot of room for development when it comes to his defensive stats. defensive actions like tackles (24th percentile), interceptions (69th percentile), and clearances (4th percentile) are areas in which he performs worse. This implies that his tasks are primarily offensive in nature, with minimal focus on defence.
Xavi Simons is an outstanding player because of his noteworthy contributions to possession and attacking measures, as demonstrated by his performance data from Fbref. He is regarded as a premier attacking midfielder in European football due to his ability to generate and convert chances as well as his clever play-advancing abilities.
