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- 1 hours ago
Xavi Simons to Chelsea delay explained as new opportunity emerges
Tom Weber
- Updated: 31 Jul 2025 19:13 BST
- 4 min read
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Chelsea need to make sales before they can formally proceed with the signing of Xavi Simons, but their efforts could be aided by RB Leipzig's interest in re-signing Christopher Nkunku.
The Blues have been in talks over the signings of Jorrel Hato and Xavi Simons since last week, but the former deal has developed much quicker than the latter. Chelsea are set to announce the arrival of Hato imminently after agreeing a fee in the region of €43 million with Ajax.
Meanwhile, there is still no news of a formal offer for Simons, although talks with RB Leipzig over the modalities of a potential move are continuously taking place.
Current ETV
Xavi Simons
M (L), AM (C)
RB Leipzig
Xavi Simons
M (L), AM (C)
RB Leipzig
ETV Range
€60.7M - €74.2M
The Bundesliga side are understood to want around €70m and a sell-on clause for the 22-year-old, while Chelsea believe that they can push this asking price down.
The reason why this transfer hasn't progressed at the same pace as Hato's is quite simple: Simons will be significantly more expensive, so Chelsea need to make sales.
Chelsea need to sell players
BILD reports that Simons is keen on the move to Chelsea and that there is an agreement in principle on personal terms, but adds that the Blues are unlikely to proceed with a formal offer unless someone leaves the club first.
Fabrizio Romano has hinted at this, too, in his latest video, although he has not gone so far as to suggest that the purchase of Simons is entirely contingent on outgoings.
Either way, it is clear that Chelsea need to offload several players as they are also planning to bid for Alejandro Garnacho irrespective of the expected arrival of Simons.
One potential avenue that could be explored is an informal swap deal with Christopher Nkunku. Sports Zone claims that the Frenchman has been mentioned during the talks over Simons, with Leipzig interested in re-signing their former star attacker.
Given Leipzig's lack of European football, Nkunku is prioritising a move elsewhere, but he is not completely opposed to returning as a last resort.
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