Xavi Simons, a standout for Paris Saint-Germain, might be available on a summer loan to help Man United with their two long-term issues.
Manchester United have reportedly enquired about Xavi Simons’ services this summer (Image: Rico Brouwer)
Three weeks after the 2023–24 season concluded, it appears that Manchester United is moving forward with its summer transfer preparations. The process of forming the squad has begun with the decision to continue with Erik ten Hag.
The team will bring in new players to Old Trafford in an effort to significantly improve on its Premier League eighth-place result. However, INEOS and Sir Jim Ratcliffe will need to make some wise and cautious hiring decisions this summer due to the well-documented market limits brought about by the league’s profit and sustainability rules (PSR).
Jarrad Brainthwate was already the subject of a rejected £43 million bid, with Everton holding out for over £70 million. Although it’s unclear if United will make a better offer this time around, it does indicate that the hierarchy is willing to make the required expenditures.
United need a new holding midfielder and striker in addition to a new central defender. There are also some concerns about the wide options because Jadon Sancho is probably going to leave and Antony hasn’t been able to find any consistency.
Once more, Ratcliffe and Ten Hag need to be astute in their hiring practices, which is why United should give serious consideration to the excellent Xavi Simons. for a variety of causes.
This weekend, United reportedly joined Arsenal and Manchester City in the intense competition to recruit the Paris Saint-German attacker, according to a report from the French publication L’Equipe. In 2022, Simons moved from PSG to PSV Eindhoven, where he contributed eight assists and 19 goals.
Due to his incredible play, PSG activated a £5 million buyback provision in his contract last summer, and RB Leipzig signed him on loan right away. He finished the Bundesliga with an amazing eight goals and eleven assists, demonstrating his ongoing stellar form.
Though he made an impression in Germany, it’s unclear where he fits into Luis Enrique’s PSG squad. According to the French article, Simons might return to PSG as a member of the team, be sold permanently, or go on loan. Although he is now a member of the Netherlands squad for Euro 2024, interest in him is growing.
According to reports, Man United, Arsenal, Man City, and Bayern Munich are in competition to sign the gifted forward. Even though Simons’ market value is €80 million (£67.7 million, according to Transfermarkt), Ratcliffe is getting a great deal in this scenario.
A significant portion of that price would be paid to PSV under the terms of a permanent agreement, per a stipulation in his PSG contract. At this point, it seems more likely that he will go on loan, saving United from having to pay a premium to sign him.
In United, where would he fit in? Simons’ versatility in playing two distinct roles is his first noteworthy quality. He appeared in 19 games for PSV as a left wing (seven goals and six assists) and 17 games as a central attacking midfielder (11 goals and four assists).
He appeared in 23 left-wing games for RB Leipzig (five goals and seven assists) and 18 right-wing games (five goals and five assists). However, because of Marco Rose’s style of play, he and Dani Olmo frequently served as playmakers while the two wing-backs provided width.
Simons was mostly found in the left part of the pitch, as the heat map above illustrates. He completed 187 progressive passes and 102 passes into the final third from that position. His impact on Leipzig’s offensive was crucial, as seen by his remarkable 5.97 shot-creating actions per ninety minutes.
What position would he take on the United team? Because of his versatility, he might assist Ten Hag in resolving two distinct issues, including the weight that is currently on Marcus Rashford’s shoulders. Due to his poor play, the forward has been linked to a move away from Manchester, but all he really needs is some strong competition.
Simons has the perfect build to compete with Bruno Fernandes for the title of Ten Hag’s most creative midfield player. Like Rashford, the Portugal international has frequently had dips in performance as a result of insufficient sleep.
A condition that the player himself included to his PSG contract states that, should he have options, he will choose which team to play for. Even if the playmaker is only needed for a single year, United might be in a better position to sign him this summer with a Dutch manager in control.
