BREAKING NEWS: Manchester United Eye Xavi Simons as Summer Transfer Battle Heats Up

Manchester United is reportedly preparing to make a significant move for RB Leipzig’s highly regarded Dutch forward, Xavi Simons. The 21-year-old, who recently completed a permanent transfer from Paris Saint-Germain (PSG) to Leipzig on January 30, 2025, has a valuation of around €80 million. Despite his recent transfer, speculation surrounding his future continues to intensify.

Prominent football journalists, including Fabrizio Romano and Christian Falk from BILD, have suggested that Simons could move again as soon as the upcoming summer transfer window. Romano noted that Simons’ contract, set to expire in June 2027, is relatively short by current standards. He also confirmed that multiple Premier League clubs are closely following the young star, with scouts frequently evaluating his performances. While Romano didn’t specify which clubs are most interested, Falk provided more details, revealing that Leipzig would be open to negotiations if an offer in the €70 million to €80 million range is made.

Among the clubs expressing strong interest in Simons are Manchester United, Liverpool, and Manchester City. This sets the stage for a potential bidding war between some of England’s biggest teams, all eager to strengthen their squads ahead of the next season.

One of Simons’ key strengths is his versatility. Primarily a central attacking midfielder or No. 10, he is also comfortable playing on the left wing. At Manchester United, he could integrate seamlessly into Ruben Amorim’s favored 3-4-2-1 formation, filling one of the two attacking midfield roles behind the striker. With Bruno Fernandes occasionally playing deeper in midfield, Simons could bring extra creativity and flair to United’s attack.

Liverpool, under new manager Arne Slot, is also keen on securing Simons’ services. Slot favors a 4-2-3-1 formation, where Simons could play a central role as the primary playmaker. His signing would offer an upgrade over current midfield options such as Dominik Szoboszlai and Curtis Jones. Simons’ technical ability and vision could elevate Liverpool’s attacking play and help them compete at the highest level.

Meanwhile, Manchester City’s interest in Simons could be tied to Kevin De Bruyne’s future. With the Belgian star’s contract expiring at the end of the season and rumors of a potential move to Major League Soccer, City might view Simons as a long-term successor. His adaptability across various attacking positions would provide Pep Guardiola with additional tactical flexibility, making him an ideal fit for City’s fluid and dynamic style of play.

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 main responsibility is to act in Red Bull’s best interests, his historical ties to Liverpool might give the Merseyside club an edge in negotiations should they pursue Simons seriously.

In addition to their interest in Simons, Manchester United is also exploring other transfer options. Reports suggest the club is attempting to hijack Tottenham Hotspur’s deal for Bayern Munich’s young forward, Mathys Tel. Although Bayern and Spurs have reportedly agreed on a €60 million fee, Tel has not yet finalized personal terms. United is said to be preparing a loan offer that would see Tel join them temporarily before returning to Bayern in the summer. Tel is reportedly more inclined to join United than any other destination.

Speculation also surrounds 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 and Serie A’s AS Roma. Casemiro is reportedly open to moving to Roma, although any deal would depend on Roma being able to offload Leandro Paredes. Boca Juniors has been linked with Paredes, which could facilitate Casemiro’s transfer to the Italian club.

As the summer transfer window nears, the fight for Simons is expected to be one of the most watched transfer sagas. With Manchester United, Liverpool, and Manchester City all eager to enhance their squads, securing the young Dutchman could be a major coup.

For United, signing Simons would align with Ruben Amorim’s strategy of injecting youthful creativity into the squad. Their proactive approach in the transfer market, as evidenced by their interest in Mathys Tel, shows they are determined to build a team capable of competing for major honors.

Liverpool’s interest in Simons reflects their intent to reshape their squad under Arne Slot, focusing on adding quality and creativity to the midfield. His arrival could provide the spark needed for them to challenge for both domestic and European titles.

For Manchester City, acquiring Simons would form part of their long-term succession planning, especially if De Bruyne leaves. His flexibility would allow Guardiola to deploy him in a variety of attacking roles, ensuring City maintain their attacking prowess.

Ultimately, Simons’ next move could be one of the defining transfers of the summer, potentially altering the balance of power in the Premier League and beyond.