Xavi Simons is attracting interest from Arsenal (Picture: Getty)
Arsenal have registered a strong interest in signing Paris Saint-Germain attacking midfielder Xavi Simons, currently on loan at RB Leipzig.
A product of Barcelona’s La Masia academy, Simons, 20, completed a move to PSG back in 2021 before returning to his native Netherlands in search of regular game-time with PSV Eindhoven.
A phenomenal individual campaign in the 2022/23 Eredivisie followed, in which Simons notched up 19 goals and eight assists, and the Dutchman’s eye-catching performances convinced PSG to trigger a £5million buyback clause in his PSV contract.
Ligue 1 champions PSG immediately loaned Simons to RB Leipzig and Simons has picked up where he left off this season, netting four goals and claiming seven assists in his opening 17 appearances in the Bundesliga.
According to German publication Sport Bild, Leipzig are keen for Simons’ loan deal to be extended to the 2025 but PSG are yet to make a decision over the Netherlands international’s immediate future.
The report claims Arsenal one of the clubs monitoring the situation, along with Inter Milan and Simons’ former side Barcelona, though no concrete approach has been made by any of the youngster’s potential suitors.
Arsenal are scouring the market for attacking reinforcements but are understood to be prioritising a move for a top-class centre-forward, with Brentford’s Ivan Toney, Napoli’s Victor Osimhen and Newcastle’s Alexander Isak all heavily linked.
Simons has registered four goals and seven assists in the league for RB Leipzig (Picture: Getty)
Speaking to the media last week, Mikel Arteta conceded that it may not be possible for the Gunners to add to their squad before the January transfer deadline.
Asked whether Arsenal may end the window without any making any signings, the Spaniard told reporters: ‘That’s a possibility.
‘We’re open for the transfer market, but the emphasis is of making the most of the players we have.
‘We’ll work with the club to understand if there are any possibilities, and whether we have any good options.
‘But first of all, we will focus on the players we already have.’
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The youngster has been in sensational form this season.