Chelsea take big step towards Xavi Simons signing as RB Leipzig 'open talks' for replacement

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Evening Standard

·6 August 2025

Chelsea take big step towards Xavi Simons signing as RB Leipzig 'open talks' for replacement

Blues could be closing in on the signing of the RB Leipzig star

Big boost: Xavi Simons

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Chelsea have been handed a major boost in their quest to sign RB Leipzig midfielder Xavi Simons.

Standard Sport reported last month that the Blues have been exploring the terms of a potential deal to bring the Netherlands international to Stamford Bridge.

This is despite Chelsea already bolstering their attacking options this summer with the arrivals of Joao Pedro, Liam Delap and Jamie Gittens.

Furthermore, Brazilian teenager Estevao Willian has officially been unveiled ahead of the 2025-26 season and is expected to be apart of Enzo Maresca’s first-team squad.

Chelsea, though, are still keen on more attacking reinforcements in the light of Noni Madueke’s move to Arsenal and have identified Simons, who scored 11 goals and provided eight assists across all competitions last season, as a target.

Simons’ absence from the Leipzig squad for the friendly defeat to Atalanta last weekend increased speculation that he is close to joining the reigning world champions.

Now it would appear the Bundesliga outfit have accepted their fate and have begun to prepare for life without the 22-year-old.

In addition, the report states that while discussions are at an early stage, Leipzig are exploring their options as Elliott is seen as potential replacement for Simons.

Elliott has already gone on record stating he will consider his future with the Premier League champions after slipping even further down the pecking order with Liverpool tying up a club-record £116m deal for attacking midfielder Florian Wirtz from Bayer Leverkusen.