Transfer expert Fabrizio Romano broke the news of interest in Xavi Simons from Newcastle United earlier this month, and has now provided a further update on the Dutchman’s future.
Xavi Simons was one of the best players at Euro 2024, shining for Netherlands as they made it to the semi finals. He even scored a screamer in that game, only for England to complete a comeback and win 2-1.
Since the end of the Euros, the 21-year-old has been a man in demand. Some of the biggest clubs in the world have been showing an interest in the Paris Saint-Germain superstar, while there was even a claim that Newcastle United had signalled their intent.
Fabrizio Romano stated Newcastle asked about Xavi Simons
That claim came from Fabrizio Romano, who stated on his YouTube channel that the Magpies had asked for information on Simons’ availability.
Romano said: “Let me tell you that another club that asked for information on Xavi Simons was Newcastle to understand the situation of the player. But again, this was a few days ago, not months ago. And this is why Leipzig and Bayern remain the two favourites. Let’s see what Xavi Simons decides to do.”
It was quite the revelation from Romano, as Simons would be a blockbuster signing for Newcastle United. His words sparked excitement among the Toon Army, although there was an acceptance that a deal for the Dutchman would be extremely difficult and costly.
Update on Xavi Simons’ future
Those concerns were understandable, and it now looks like Simons will not be joining Newcastle United.
In fact, it does not look like he is going anywhere on a permanent deal.
That is according to Romano, who has stated on X that RB Leipzig are now confident about bringing Simons back for a second loan spell after he spent the 2023/24 season at the Red Bull Arena.
He wrote on X: “Understand RB Leipzig are now confident to get green light for Xavi Simons. Transfer battle with Bayern still ongoing but Leipzig CEO Mintzlaff, pushing in talks to bring Xavi back. PSG have no plans to sell Xavi, open to loan move… and RB Leipzig hope to get it done.”
Extremely ambitious of Newcastle to even enquire
Newcastle United were linked with signing Xavi Simons last year, when he was still a PSV Eindhoven player.
He joined PSG instead, who loaned him out to Leipzig. The attacking midfielder was exceptional in the Bundesliga, while he was brilliant at Euro 2024. He really announced himself as one of the most creative players in Europe, which is why talk of fresh interest from Newcastle United was extremely exciting.
However, it must have been very tentative interest from Newcastle. Given his form and list of suitors, there was always next to no chance that the Magpies could tempt Simons to Tyneside.
But it is certainly a signal of Newcastle’s intent, as fans wait to see which attacker they add to the squad ahead of the 2024/25 season.
That is where most of Newcastle’s £100million transfer budget will go, with Eddie Howe keen to sign another attacker to join Alexander Isak and Anthony Gordon.
There was a brief glimmer of hope that it could have been Simons, but that glimmer is now disappearing as another loan spell with RB Leipzig looms.
Hopefully Paul Mitchell can find someone who is equally as exciting. If he can, it will be a tremendous start to his time as sporting director.
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