RB Leipzig have left the door open for Xavi Simons to remain at the club this summer, making it clear that Chelsea will only secure the winger if all “economic aspects” of the deal are favorable.
The Premier League giants are in advanced negotiations to sign Simons as one of their final additions in the summer transfer window. However, a fee is yet to be agreed, with Leipzig standing firm on their €70 million (£60.4m) valuation of the 22-year-old Dutch international.
Simons, who has already agreed personal terms with Chelsea, is eager to push through the move to Stamford Bridge and link up with Enzo Maresca’s squad. But with the transfer deadline looming, the deal hangs in the balance.
Reports suggest Chelsea may need to make space in their squad, with Christopher Nkunku potentially being offloaded to clear the way for Simons.
Despite the speculation, Simons featured in Leipzig’s Bundesliga opener against Bayern Munich on Friday night, a fixture that ended in disappointment as Bayern cruised to a dominant 6-0 victory at the Allianz Arena.
Speaking after the heavy defeat, Red Bull CEO Oliver Mintzlaff voiced his frustrations and demanded a stronger response from the team: “I certainly don’t expect a worse performance than what we presented in Munich. We need a response now, too, and not just on the second matchday, but also across the board.”
Leipzig are now preparing to face Heidenheim at the Red Bull Arena in search of their first league win of the season.
However, the uncertainty over Simons’ future continues to loom large. Mintzlaff stressed that Leipzig will not be forced into a transfer unless the conditions suit all parties: “There are certainly discussions and interested parties, of course, but it has to be a good fit for all parties. If that happens, then there could still be a departure. And if that doesn’t happen, then Xavi Simons is RB Leipzig’s player this season.”
Sporting director Marcel Schafer echoed a similar sentiment before the Bayern clash, highlighting that Chelsea remain short of Leipzig’s requirements.
“We are generally known for enabling players to take the next step. He has expressed his desire to take the next step. Basically, we’re open and won’t block any players. But only if all the parameters are right for everyone involved. And that hasn’t been the case so far.
If we notice that things are going in a certain direction, then we’re prepared to take one or two players off. That really hasn’t been the case so far. And that’s why he played today.”
Simons, who previously played for Paris Saint-Germain and PSV Eindhoven, still has two years left on his Leipzig contract, giving the Bundesliga side leverage as negotiations continue.
Whether Chelsea meet Leipzig’s demands in the final week of the window could determine whether Simons makes the high-profile switch to Stamford Bridge or remains in the Bundesliga for another season.
