Arsenal, Tottenham and Manchester United are all competing for Dutch wonderkid, Xavi Simons: report

Mark White
·2 min read
Arsenal, Tottenham and Manchester United target Xavi Simons of PSV celebrates 2-0 during the Dutch Eredivisie match between PSV v Ajax at the Philips Stadium on April 23, 2023 in Eindhoven Netherlands
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Arsenal, Tottenham and Manchester United are all set to compete for Dutch superstar Xavi Simons.

The 20-year-old has enjoyed a fantastic couple of years, settling at PSV and  appearing regularly for his national side, too. Now, however, it seems as though the next move could be imminent with Paris Saint-Germain in charge of a buyback clause of just €6 million, having sold him to the Eredivisie.

But with the player himself in control of his destiny, he may favour a move to the Premier League, should it present itself.

USA's forward #07 Giovanni Reyna (L) fights for the ball with Netherlands' midfielder #25 Xavi Simons during the Qatar 2022 World Cup round of 16 football match between the Netherlands and USA at Khalifa International Stadium in Doha on December 3, 2022.
USA's forward #07 Giovanni Reyna (L) fights for the ball with Netherlands' midfielder #25 Xavi Simons during the Qatar 2022 World Cup round of 16 football match between the Netherlands and USA at Khalifa International Stadium in Doha on December 3, 2022.

Spanish outlet Mundo Deportivo says that a final decision is imminent with a flurry of clubs interested in his services, including Arsenal, Tottenham Hotspur and Manchester United.

Arsenal have closed a deal for Kai Havertz this week as an option in their frontline and potentially a left-sided No.8. With an array of options in the attacking midfield positions behind Gabriel Jesus, Simons might be less of a priority – but might be too good an opportunity to pass up.

United, similarly, are chasing Mason Mount: Simons might be a more affordable option, with Erik ten Hag having signed a number of Dutch and Eredivisie players so far in his short tenure at Old Trafford. Simons could play on either wing or in midfield, too, giving the Red Devils a versatility that Ten Hag has enjoyed from his squad.

Tottenham might actually be the best option from a squad-building perspective, with Simons an attacking midfield option to offer creativity behind the forwards. With Spurs likely to have reduced spending power in comparison to Arsenal and United, however, a move for an unproven Dutch youngster that could top £30m might not seem feasible for Ange Postecoglou.

Ange Postecoglou then of Celtic FC looks on prior to the UEFA Champions League group F match between Shakhtar Donetsk and Celtic FC at The Marshall Jozef Pilsudski's Municipal Stadium of Legia Warsaw on September 14, 2022 in Warsaw, Poland.
Ange Postecoglou then of Celtic FC looks on prior to the UEFA Champions League group F match between Shakhtar Donetsk and Celtic FC at The Marshall Jozef Pilsudski's Municipal Stadium of Legia Warsaw on September 14, 2022 in Warsaw, Poland.

PSG's buyback clause becomes live in July – so Premier League sides will have to act fast to secure the midfielder first.

Simons is valued at around €40m by Transfermarkt.

More Arsenal, Tottenham and Manchester United stories

Arsenal transfer news, Manchester United transfer news and Tottenham transfer news is ramping up as transfer season starts. 

Ajax star Jurrien Timber is on the shortlist for Arsenal, along with Romeo Lavia of Southampton. Former Gunner Jeremie Aliadiere has explained exclusively to FFT why Kai Havertz is necessary as a signing, too. Atalanta striker Rasmus Hojlund has been linked with a £40m move to Manchester United, while Mohammed Kudus would cost as much, too. Kim Min-jae is seriously linked, as well.

For Tottenham, Real Madrid have opened talks over a deal for Harry Kane, though it is believed that the England captain favours Manchester United. James Maddison is on the radar, while Jordan Pickford was, at one point, on the shortlist, too.