Manchester United are reportedly preparing to make a major push for RB Leipzig’s highly rated Dutch attacker, Xavi Simons. The 21-year-old, who recently completed a permanent transfer from Paris Saint-Germain (PSG) to Leipzig on January 30, 2025, is valued at approximately €80 million. Despite this recent move, speculation about his future continues to grow.
Renowned football journalists, including Fabrizio Romano and Christian Falk of BILD, have suggested that Simons could be on the move again as early as the upcoming summer transfer window. Romano pointed out that the length of Simons’ contract—set to expire in June 2027—is relatively short by modern standards.
He also confirmed that multiple Premier League clubs have been closely monitoring the young talent, with scouts regularly assessing his performances. Although Romano did not specify which teams are particularly interested, Falk provided more clarity, revealing that Leipzig would be willing to negotiate if an offer in the range of €70 million to €80 million is tabled.
Among the clubs showing strong interest in Simons are Manchester United, Liverpool, and Manchester City. This sets up a potential bidding war among some of England’s biggest clubs, all of whom are looking to strengthen their squads ahead of next season.
One of Simons’ biggest selling points is his versatility. While he primarily operates as a central attacking midfielder or No. 10, he is equally comfortable playing on the left wing. At Manchester United, he could fit seamlessly into Ruben Amorim’s preferred 3-4-2-1 system, occupying one of the two attacking midfield roles behind the striker. With Bruno Fernandes sometimes playing in a deeper midfield position, Simons could bring additional creativity and dynamism to United’s attack.
Liverpool, under new head coach Arne Slot, are also keen on securing Simons’ services. Slot favors a 4-2-3-1 system, in which Simons could play a key role as the central playmaker. If Liverpool were to sign him, he could provide an upgrade over existing midfield options like Dominik Szoboszlai and Curtis Jones. His technical skills and vision would enhance Liverpool’s attacking play, helping them compete at the highest level.
Meanwhile, Manchester City’s interest in Simons could be linked to the future of Kevin De Bruyne. With the Belgian star’s contract expiring at the end of the season and rumors suggesting he could move to Major League Soccer, City may see Simons as a long-term successor. His ability to adapt to different attacking roles would provide Pep Guardiola with added tactical flexibility, making him an ideal fit for City’s fluid playing style.
However, Simons’ potential move could be complicated by the presence of Jürgen Klopp in Red Bull’s management structure. The former Liverpool manager now serves as Head of Global Soccer at Red Bull, overseeing their football operations. While his primary duty is to act in Red Bull’s best interests, his historical ties to Liverpool could give the Merseyside club an advantage in negotiations should they decide to pursue Simons seriously.
Aside from their pursuit of Simons, Manchester United are also exploring other transfer targets. Reports indicate that the club is attempting to hijack Tottenham Hotspur’s move for Bayern Munich’s young forward, Mathys Tel. Although Bayern and Spurs have reportedly agreed on a €60 million transfer fee, Tel has yet to finalize personal terms.
United are believed to be preparing a loan offer that would see the player join them temporarily before returning to Bayern in the summer. Tel is reportedly more inclined to move to Old Trafford than to other potential destinations.
In addition, speculation continues to swirl around the future of Manchester United’s veteran midfielder Casemiro. According to Sky Germany, a last-minute departure for the Brazilian remains a possibility, with interest from clubs in Saudi Arabia as well as Serie A side AS Roma. Casemiro is said to be open to a move to Roma, though any deal depends on Roma’s ability to offload Leandro Paredes. Boca Juniors have been linked with Paredes, which could facilitate Casemiro’s transfer to the Italian club.
As the summer transfer window approaches, the battle for Simons is expected to be one of the most closely watched sagas. With Manchester United, Liverpool, and Manchester City all eager to strengthen their squads, securing the young Dutchman’s signature could be a significant coup.
For United, landing Simons would align with Ruben Amorim’s strategy of injecting youthful creativity into the squad. Their active approach in the transfer market, as seen in their interest in Mathys Tel, suggests they are determined to build a team capable of competing for major honors.
Liverpool’s interest in Simons signals their intent to reshape their squad under Arne Slot, with an emphasis on adding quality and creativity in midfield. His arrival could provide the spark they need to challenge for domestic and European titles.
For Manchester City, acquiring Simons would be part of their long-term succession planning, particularly if De Bruyne departs. His versatility would allow Guardiola to deploy him in multiple attacking roles, ensuring City maintain their attacking potency.
Ultimately, Simons’ next move could be one of the defining transfers of the summer, potentially influencing the balance of power in the Premier League and beyond.
