Man United ready to take advantage of Tottenham uncertainty by targeting midfielder | OneFootball

When Xavi Simons arrived at Tottenham Hotspur last August in a high-profile £51.8 million move from RB Leipzig, he was supposed to be the creative spark. Fast forward to the spring of 2026, and the dream has turned into an absolute nightmare.

With Spurs remarkably staring down the barrel of relegation, the transfer vultures are already starting to circle.

According to sources in Spain, Manchester United are closely monitoring the 23-year-old Netherlands international Xavi Simons, lining up a sensational summer swoop to bring him to Old Trafford.

Tottenham could be open to a fire sale

To understand why Simons might be packing his bags so soon, you only need to look at the current Premier League table. Tottenham’s season has been nothing short of a disaster.

Roberto De Zerbi’s heavily-invested squad is in genuine danger of dropping down to the Championship.

If the unthinkable happens and Spurs lose their top-flight status, the financial shockwaves will force a massive fire sale.

Reports suggest that the financial reality of relegation could see Simons leave for an absolute pittance, potentially as low as £26 million.

For a player who was widely regarded as one of the best young No. 10s in European football just a year ago, that price tag represents an incredible market opportunity for Man United.

Simons will be a gamble for Man United due to his injury

There is, however, a massive elephant in the room: Simons’ fitness. Just this past weekend, the Dutch playmaker was stretchered off during a clash against Wolves, with scans confirming a devastating ACL rupture.

He is facing up to eight months on the sidelines, meaning whoever buys him won’t see him kick a competitive ball until at least January 2027.

So, why would Man United want to invest in a player who is facing a serious rehabilitation process?

The Red Devils need players who can make instant impact in the team and challenge for a place in the starting line up straightaway.

A fully fit Simons offers a level of technical brilliance and versatility that is incredibly rare.

Buying him while he’s injured is undeniably a massive risk, but it’s precisely that injury, combined with Tottenham’s league struggles, that makes this heavily discounted fee possible in the first place.