Arsenal and Chelsea set to battle in the race to sign 22-year-old Bundesliga star | OneFootball

Arsenal and Chelsea set to battle in the race to sign 22-year-old Bundesliga star | OneFootball

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EPL Index

·19 juillet 2025

Arsenal and Chelsea set to battle in the race to sign 22-year-old Bundesliga star

Image de l'article :Arsenal and Chelsea set to battle in the race to sign 22-year-old Bundesliga star

Xavi Simons and the Leipzig Limbo: Premier League Links Intensify Amid Uncertainty

Leipzig’s Packed Squad and the Quiet Exit Talk

RB Leipzig have been in a recruitment frenzy, securing four players in just 26 hours, as BILD reports. The squad is now so full that “der Mega-Kader sprengt inzwischen fast die Kabine.” Yet while arrivals are aplenty, departures are still pending. Benjamin Sesko is one name still present, with his Arsenal move stalling. Similarly, Xavi Simons continues to train with full commitment.

“Beide hängen sich im Training bei RB Leipzig voll rein, lassen sich nichts anmerken,” the article notes. However, whispers from his inner circle suggest that Simons has “die letzte Saison selbstkritisch reflektiert” and is now focused firmly on his future. The pressing question remains: where does that future lie?


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Eyes on Bayern, Ears in England

The Dutch international is open to leaving, though only Bayern Munich have reportedly shown interest thus far. A potential fee would be “mehr als die kolportierten 50 Mio. Euro,” according to BILD, with Leipzig unwilling to part for anything under his €60 million market value.

Image de l'article :Arsenal and Chelsea set to battle in the race to sign 22-year-old Bundesliga star

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But there’s more at play behind the scenes. Simons and his camp are now stepping up their efforts, with his brother and advisor, Faustino Simons, reportedly enlisting top UK-based agent Ali Barat from Epic Sports.

Barat’s Premier League Power

Barat, crowned Europe’s top agent in 2023, helped orchestrate the record £116 million move of Moisés Caicedo from Brighton to Chelsea. Now, he’s reportedly opening channels for Simons too. “Der agiert eher als Mann im Hintergrund, hat aber glänzende Drähte in die Premier League,” writes BILD.

Last year, Barat was pivotal in Karim Adeyemi’s links to Chelsea, working closely with part-owner Behdad Eghbali. According to BILD, he is now sounding out Chelsea once again for Xavi Simons.

Test Matches in Meuselwitz While Giants Tour Asia

As Arsenal tour Singapore and Spurs fly to Hong Kong, Simons finds himself grounded. “Xavis Realität noch Testspiel am Samstag in Meuselwitz” feels almost surreal for a player with such pedigree and ambition.

Our View – EPL Index

If this report holds weight, then Chelsea fans should be buzzing. Ali Barat’s involvement hints at serious intent. His fingerprints were all over the Caicedo deal and Karim Adeyemi’s Chelsea flirtation, and if he’s now making introductions for Xavi Simons, Stamford Bridge could be bracing for another statement signing.

Simons is versatile, technically sound, and hungry to make a Premier League impact. The fact that he’s reflecting “selbstkritisch” on last season shows maturity beyond his years. If he can match that self-reflection with a move to a competitive side in England, the upside is huge.

That said, this also smells like a move dependent on departures. Chelsea’s squad isn’t light, and Enzo Maresca may want a tighter group. Still, if Barat is at the helm, there’s little doubt Simons will land somewhere high-profile.

What’s worrying for Leipzig fans is the inevitability of it all. The club’s business model relies on savvy buying and selling, but when players like Simons are dreaming beyond Meuselwitz, keeping them focused and settled becomes a losing battle. Whether it’s Chelsea or another Premier League club, Xavi looks Premier League-bound. And soon.

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