Chelsea’s pursuit of Dutch international Xavi Simons is facing a temporary delay due to financial constraints, despite advanced talks and the player’s reported eagerness to join the Premier League club.
While Chelsea have all but completed a €43 million deal for Ajax defender Jorrel Hato, negotiations over Simons’ transfer from RB Leipzig are moving at a slower pace—largely due to the significantly higher financial outlay involved.
Financial Fair Play and the Need to Sell
According to BILD, Chelsea need to generate funds through player sales before they can formalise an official bid for Simons, whose valuation stands at around €70 million. While personal terms between Chelsea and the 22-year-old attacking midfielder are said to be agreed in principle, the club has not yet submitted a formal offer to Leipzig.
Fabrizio Romano has also alluded to this in recent updates, noting that although Simons is a top target, Chelsea’s spending strategy is being carefully managed under Financial Fair Play regulations.
This careful balancing of incomings and outgoings is not limited to Simons. Chelsea are simultaneously planning to make a bid for Manchester United winger Alejandro Garnacho—meaning multiple outgoings may be required before either deal can progress significantly.
Nkunku Re-Signing Emerges as a Possible Pathway
In an intriguing development, Leipzig’s interest in re-signing Christopher Nkunku could offer Chelsea a unique bargaining tool. The French forward, who joined Chelsea from Leipzig in 2023, has endured an injury-hit debut season at Stamford Bridge.
Sources from Sports Zone suggest that Nkunku’s name has come up in discussions between the two clubs. While the player is said to be prioritising a move elsewhere, possibly to a club competing in the UEFA Champions League, he has not entirely ruled out a return to Leipzig—particularly if regular minutes are on offer.
Although a direct swap deal is unlikely due to valuation differences and contract complexities, an informal arrangement involving Nkunku’s departure could free up salary space and accelerate the Simons deal.
Simons Wants Chelsea Move
Multiple sources confirm that Xavi Simons is open to joining Chelsea and is enthusiastic about the project under new manager Enzo Maresca. The Netherlands international impressed during his loan spell at RB Leipzig last season, where he registered 21 goals and 23 assists in 76 appearances since joining from PSG.
His versatility, vision, and goal-scoring ability make him an ideal fit for Maresca’s fluid attacking system. However, with Leipzig demanding a high fee and also requesting a future sell-on clause, Chelsea must navigate the financial terms carefully.
What Happens Next?
Unless Chelsea make a major sale in the coming days, the Simons deal is expected to remain on hold. The Blues have been open to offers for several players this summer, including Armando Broja, Trevoh Chalobah, and Carney Chukwuemeka, and any departures could unlock progress.
Meanwhile, Leipzig are still pushing for clarity on Chelsea’s intentions, especially with interest in other suitors potentially emerging if the situation drags on.
Conclusion
The Xavi Simons-to-Chelsea deal is far from dead, but it is dependent on the club’s ability to balance its books. With Leipzig’s interest in Nkunku and Chelsea’s internal pressure to offload fringe players, the next few weeks will be crucial in determining whether the deal can be finalised before the window closes.