Arsenal ‘most concrete option’ for ex-Barca starlet tipped for Ronaldinho role

Arsenal are said to be the frontrunners to sign Dutch wonderkid Xavi Simmons. The 20-year-old was once compared to Ronaldinho during his Barcelona academy days and has shown signs that he may fulfil his lofty expectations during a sensational debut campaign for PSV Eindhoven. 

Simons quickly emerged as one of the brightest young talents in Barca’s excellent youth set-up during the 2010s. Both Chelsea and Real Madrid reportedly tried to tempt him away from the Catalonians at a young age.

But after failing to agree terms with Barca in 2019, he moved to Paris Saint-Germain. Upon arrival, he struggled to find his feet and only managed to break into the first team on a handful of occasions before being sold on a free to PSV three years later. Simons instantly found a place in the starting lineup and returned 22 goals and 12 assists from 48 appearances.

As a result, several clubs have come calling for the talented midfielder but according to Voetbal International, Arsenal are ‘the most concrete option’.

Simons still has four years left on his deal at PSV and so wouldn’t come cheap. The Eridivise side would expect a club-record fee for the in-demand player.

PSV’s current record is the initial £37m Liverpool paid for Cody Gakpo in January, which could rise to £44m with add-ons. Simons does have a buy-back clause in his contract which would allow him to return to PSG in the summer for just £10.2m.

However, he has indicated that he is not considering that option. “It is a clause between me and PSV. Not between me and Paris Saint-Germain,” Simons said earlier this season. It’s a clause that, if I wanted to go to PSG, I could leave for a certain amount at the end of the season.

“To be honest, it’s not in my head to leave. I’m settled here, I feel good here. You can also see that on the field I think. I came here on a free transfer, so I have no obligations to anyone. I’m the one who has to make the choice.”