London, July 21 – Chelsea have opened negotiations with RB Leipzig over a summer move for Xavi Simons, with a deal possible for €70 million or less, according to sources close to the talks. The Premier League club are stepping up their pursuit of the highly-rated Dutch international, who is also on Arsenal’s radar.
While Leipzig officially signed Simons for €50 million, the full €30 million in potential add-ons from his original PSG contract are yet to be triggered — creating room for Chelsea to negotiate a reduced package. Paris Saint-Germain, who sold Simons last year, retain a sell-on clause, and will be monitoring developments closely.
Chelsea are the first club to establish direct contact with Leipzig over a transfer, stealing a march on rivals Arsenal, who have long admired Simons but are yet to table a formal bid.
Simons, 22, has emerged as one of Europe’s most exciting young talents. A product of Barcelona’s famed La Masia academy, he joined PSG in 2019, where he made his professional debut and lifted both the Ligue 1 and Coupe de France titles. After a breakout season at PSV in 2022–23 — where he finished as the Eredivisie’s top scorer and won the KNVB Cup and Johan Cruyff Shield — Simons returned to PSG before being loaned to Leipzig.
Now a permanent Leipzig player, Simons has continued his upward trajectory in the Bundesliga, impressing with his creativity, dribbling, and vision — qualities Chelsea are eager to add to their attacking midfield.
Simons also has growing international pedigree. He made his Netherlands senior debut at the 2022 FIFA World Cup and has been a regular fixture in the squad ever since.
With Chelsea seeking to inject youth and dynamism into their midfield under Enzo Maresca, Simons is seen as a priority target. Talks will continue this week as the Blues look to finalise terms and fend off Arsenal in what could be one of the summer’s marquee moves.