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Arsenal, Chelsea, Liverpool 'all interested in PSV Eindhoven's Xavi Simons'

By Ben Knapton, Senior Reporter | 14 April 2023

Arsenal, Chelsea, Liverpool 'all interested in Xavi Simons'

Arsenal, Chelsea and Liverpool reportedly hold an interest in signing PSV Eindhoven midfielder Xavi Simons, who has a joint-high 14 Eredivisie goals this season.

Premier League giants Arsenal, Chelsea and Liverpool all hold an interest in PSV Eindhoven midfielder Xavi Simons, according to a report.

The Netherlands international earned rave reviews for his performances in Paris Saint-Germain's youth teams, having spent nine years in Barcelona's academy before moving to France in 2019.

Simons made fleeting appearances for PSG's senior team, but he failed to become a regular part of the Ligue 1 champions' setup and left on a free transfer for PSV last summer.

Since returning to his homeland, the 19-year-old has continued to make waves with a string of stellar displays, coming up with 17 goals and nine assists in 40 appearances this season.

Excelling in a variety of attacking roles, Simons has scored 14 goals and set up eight more in 28 Eredivisie appearances, as PSV sit third in the table behind Ajax and runaway leaders Feyenoord.

Xavi Simons in action for Paris Saint-Germain in January 2022 © Reuters

The Dutchman has played as an attacking midfielder, left-winger and centre forward for Ruud van Nistelrooy's side this season, and he sits top of the Eredivisie scoring charts alongside FC Utrecht's Anastasios Douvikas.

According to journalist Ekrem Konur - via Fichajes - all of Arsenal, Chelsea and Liverpool have been monitoring Simons's progress and could try to lure him away from PSV in the summer window.

The Dutch giants are under little pressure to sell, though, as the midfielder is contracted to the club until 2027, and PSG are understood to possess a buyback clause of between €10m (£8.8m) and €12m (£10.6m).

The specifics of PSG's buyback clause are unclear, but Simons affirmed to Marca that he is "very happy" at PSV and would ultimately have the last word on any return to the Parc des Princes.

"I have signed five years at PSV and I am very happy. I don't know what can happen in the future," Simons told the Spanish publication.

PSV Eindhoven coach Ruud van Nistelrooy before the match on February 16, 2023 © Reuters

"There is a buy-back option that PSG can use, but ultimately the decision is mine. I have to accept to move back there if they pull that trigger. In the end, I have the last word."

All of Arsenal, Chelsea and Liverpool are expected to sign at least one new midfielder this summer, but the Gunners are currently focusing on their pursuit of West Ham United's Declan Rice.

Chelsea are expected to part ways with Ruben Loftus-Cheek and Conor Gallagher in the upcoming window, but new contracts for N'Golo Kante and Mason Mount are in the pipeline, and Simons is said to be unlikely to join the Blues due to their mid-table standing in the Premier League.

Meanwhile, Liverpool are set to wave goodbye to all of Naby Keita, James Milner, Arthur and Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain this summer, but a one-year renewal for Milner has not been ruled out.

The Merseyside club had earmarked Borussia Dortmund's Jude Bellingham as their number one midfield target, but they are now reported to have dropped their interest due to his £130m price tag.