Manchester United have reportedly heeded the advice of their new assistant manager, Ruud van Nistelrooy, and are pursuing a transfer for Dutch sensation Xavi Simons.
The Paris Saint-Germain attacking midfielder was sensational for the Netherlands at Euro 2024, catching the attention of clubs across Europe.
Simons, 21, scored 10 goals and provided 15 assists in 43 appearances on loan at RB Leipzig last season. PSG re-signed him from PSV Eindhoven for just £5m.
Van Nistelrooy admires Simons, having managed him at PSV, and urged United’s hierarchy to make a move for him.
According to French outlet L’Equipe, Man Utd have begun working on a deal to sign Simons, who is valued at £70m.
Man Utd’s sporting director Dan Ashworth also monitors Manuel Ugarte. The Uruguayan has already agreed personal terms, and negotiations over the transfer fee are underway.
Simons would be an exciting addition, but competition for him is strong.
Bayern Munich and RB Leipzig lead the race for Xavi Simons. He will likely leave PSG this summer, with reports suggesting he has already agreed personal terms with Bayern.
The Bundesliga giants have yet to agree on a fee for Simons. PSG expects a bidding war between European powerhouses for his services.
Bruno Fernandes holds the attacking midfielder role at Old Trafford, but there are suggestions he could leave. Several clubs monitor Fernandes’ situation. As revealed earlier, United’s hierarchy allowed him to hold talks with the Saudi Public Investment Fund (PIF) over a move to Saudi Arabia.
Al-Nassr and Al-Ittihad show interest in Fernandes, but no bid has been lodged for him yet.
Xavi Simons remains an exciting target for Man Utd. It will be interesting to see if they lodge a formal offer for him in the coming weeks. They will likely need to sell players to match his £70m price tag.
