Manchester City have officially joined the race to sign highly-rated Dutch midfielder Xavi Simons from Paris Saint-Germain, stepping in to compete directly with Chelsea for his signature before the current transfer window shuts. This development, reported by journalist Sacha Tavolieri, has now intensified the battle for the 21-year-old talent, who is widely regarded as one of Europe’s most promising young players.
Simons’ transfer situation is far from straightforward. Although PSG currently own his rights, he spent last season out on loan, and there are contractual clauses—particularly a buy-back option—that add extra layers of complexity to any potential deal.
PSG are believed to be open to selling the player if the financial package is right, but the ultimate decision will not be purely about money. The player’s own preference regarding his future destination is expected to play a decisive role in the outcome.
Chelsea’s interest in Simons has been ongoing and well-documented. The London club have already held advanced discussions with the player’s representatives in an effort to convince him to move to Stamford Bridge. Under manager Enzo Maresca, Chelsea see Simons as a key potential addition who could significantly strengthen their squad.
His versatility—being able to operate both as an attacking midfielder and in wide positions—is particularly attractive to Chelsea’s tactical setup, as it would allow Maresca to deploy him in multiple roles throughout the season.
Manchester City, however, have now made their intentions clear. Initial talks have reportedly been held between City and Simons’ camp, with the Premier League champions presenting a compelling sporting project.
Their proposal offers the 21-year-old the opportunity to play in a squad competing for major trophies on all fronts—both domestically in the Premier League and in Europe in the Champions League. Pep Guardiola’s track record of developing young talents into world-class players could also be a persuasive factor in City’s favour.
The transfer outlook remains uncertain. For a deal to happen, several elements must align: PSG must be satisfied with the financial terms; the contractual clauses involving Simons must be addressed; and most importantly, the player must make his choice between Chelsea’s ambitious rebuild under Maresca or City’s well-established, title-winning machine under Guardiola.
Negotiations are set to continue over the coming weeks as the transfer window edges closer to its deadline. Both clubs are determined to finalise their summer squad plans swiftly, but with the player’s preference still unclear, the race for Xavi Simons is shaping up to be one of the most closely watched transfer sagas of the summer.
