The creative dynamo Arsenal want is finalising details with another big club
Chelsea are making significant progress in their pursuit of Xavi Simons, edging closer to an agreement on personal terms with the Netherlands international and threatening to leave Arsenal behind in the race for his signature.
While RB Leipzig have not yet been approached directly, Chelsea are looking to wrap up discussions with the player’s camp before formally negotiating with the Bundesliga side.
Leipzig are said to value the player at around €65–70m, and although Simons has travelled with the team for their pre-season training camp in Donaueschingen, a Premier League move remains a strong possibility.
Simons impressed last season with 19 goal contributions despite missing two months through injury, and Chelsea see him as a long-term investment capable of adding immediate creativity to their squad.
The club’s spending capacity has been boosted by their successful Club World Cup run, which brought in nearly £100m, and they appear keen to reinvest quickly.
Arsenal, meanwhile, have maintained long-standing interest in Simons but have not matched Chelsea’s urgency in recent days.
According to journalist Ben Jacobs, the Gunners have fallen behind in the pursuit as they continue to weigh up their options.
Sources suggest that while Simons is viewed internally as a better fit than Crystal Palace’s Eberechi Eze — being younger, more prolific and likely less expensive — no concrete move has been made.
Simons’s ability to operate across the attacking midfield line, including wide areas, adds to his appeal, especially for a Chelsea side still reshaping their offensive options.
For Arsenal, who have already completed deals for Kepa Arrizabalaga, Martin Zubimendi, Christian Norgaard and Noni Madueke, the situation could develop into another case of hesitation proving costly.
It is also worth noting that Madueke will not join up with the Gunners until after Chelsea’s Club World Cup campaign, limiting early squad cohesion.
As things stand, Chelsea are leading the race — and unless Arsenal act quickly, they could be forced to turn their attention elsewhere.
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