The attacker joined RB Leipzig on loan instead (Pictures: Getty Images)
Manchester United approached Paris Saint-Germain with an offer for Xavi Simons over the summer but a clause in his PSV exit scuppered the deal, according to reports.
The 20-year-old was sold to Dutch giants PSV in the summer of 2022 and enjoyed a superb campaign in which he scored 19 Eredivisie goals and laid on eight assists, earning a regular role in the Netherlands team in the process.
PSG smartly included a buy-back clause in the deal which they promptly activated, paying just £5million to bring him back to the Parc des Princes over the summer.
It was initially felt that the youngster could force his way into the first team under Luis Enrique but it was decided he would be loaned out due to a surplus of options in the attacking areas.
Simons was snapped up on loan by RB Leipzig and he has already scored three times and laid on four assists in just seven Bundesliga outings – a key contribution every 78 minutes.
PSG, whose big summer spend requires some balancing for financial fair play purposes, had briefly entertained selling Simons straight away.
According to French newspaper L’Equipe, the Ligue 1 champions received two ‘big offers’ – one from Leipzig for a permanent deal and another from Manchester United.
Simons has been in sparkling form for RB Leipzig (Picture: Getty)
Erik ten Hag is thought to have watched plenty of compatriot Simons for PSV and was keen to lure him to Old Trafford, but talks were torpedoed by an unusual stumbling block.
A clause in PSG’s deal with PSV meant that if Simons was bought back and sold again before a certain date then the Dutch side would pocket the money.
The clause covers both the summer just gone and the January window, with PSG likely having to wait until the summer if they want to cash in on Simons.
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As such, PSG rejected United’s approach and elected to only loan out Simons for the 2023-24 season and are hoping another sparkling campaign could prompt even more offers next summer – when they will receive all of the profits from any sale.
United could return with a fresh offer for the Netherlands starlet in the future, though German newspaper Sport Bild are reporting that Leipzig are already working to extend Simons’ loan stay.
There is a preliminary agreement in place for the attacker to remain in Saxony if the Bundesliga side qualify for the Champions League next year and if he plays a certain number of games, which looks very likely.
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The attacker was loaned out instead.