Arsenal are targeting a move for PSV Eindhoven star Xavi Simons and are showing ‘keen interest’ in the 20-year-old.
That’s according to Voetbal International, who say the Gunners see the ‘top talent’ as a possible reinforcement for Mikel Arteta’s squad next season.
They explain that Simons’ impressive performances for PSV this season have made a ‘big impression’ on the European market, and he has ‘not gone unnoticed’ by several clubs, who see him as a ‘very interesting option’ for next season.
Arsenal are one of them and are the ‘most concrete in the market’ at this moment in time as they look to bolster Arteta’s squad.
Simons has a clause in his contract which means he can return to PSG for €12m, although the player would have to explicitly push for that move for it to happen. Other clubs would have to pay a full amount if they were to try and sign him.
Eindhovens Dagblad say that he would be ‘very expensive’ as PSV believe the player is worth ‘a mega amount’ and those in charge of the club wouldn’t be willing to negotiate anything that wasn’t a record fee for the club.
That is currently the €50m they received from Liverpool for Cody Gakpo in the January transfer window.
VI say this wouldn’t be a problem for the clubs who are interested, including Arsenal, although it all depends on the player’s wishes.
He would like to pay in the Champions League next season, something PSV could offer him if they get through the preliminary rounds of the competition. If that doesn’t happen, Simons could then move.
He will also wait to see who PSV hire as their next manager and what his plans for the future are before deciding his own.
Arsenal are certainly in the mix for him, though, and them ‘coming forward’ for him is seen as no coincidence as Mikel Arteta has shown a talent for developing young talent and Simons is represented by Darren Dein, the son of former Arsenal co-owner and vice-president David Dein.
That perhaps gives the Gunners something of an advantage if they are ready to step up and try to sign one of Europe’s hottest rated prospects.
