Chelsea agree $52 million deal as Xavi Simons finally unlocked

Robin Bairner

• Updated: 28 Aug 2025 04:27 CDT
• 3 min read

News

Chelsea can finally press ahead with plans to sign Xavi Simons from RB Leipzig after making a €45 million transfer agreement.

The Blues have long had Netherlands international Simons on standby. Personal terms with the RB Leipzig attacking midfielder have been agreed for weeks, but there has been a holdup caused by the Premier League side waiting to make sales before concluding the deal.

In particular, Chelsea have been seeking to sell Christopher Nkunku. Although a deal with Bayern Munich broke down, the Blues have now struck an agreement with AC Milan that will get their transfer market moving again.

According to Santi Aouna of FootMercato, the West London outfit have agreed a $52 million deal with the Rossoneri that will see Nkunku move to Serie A. This figure includes bonus payments,

The France international has agreed a five-year deal with Massimiliano Allegri’s side, tying him to San Siro until 2030.

Nicolas Jackson heading to Bayern Munich

Nkunku is not the only Chelsea player destined to leave Stamford Bridge in the hours ahead; Nicolas Jackson is closing in on a loan switch to Bayern Munich.

Sky Sport Deutschland reports that there are “advanced negotiations” between the clubs, which will see the Bundesliga giants cover the full salary of the Senegal international hitman.

Florian Plettenberg says: “Jackson and Bayern are now 100% in agreement, but some details still need to be clarified. [Bayern sporting director] Max Eberl working on it.”

With Nkunku and Jackson set to leave Chelsea’s payroll – and the former set to generate a healthy transfer fee – the Blues can now make their move for Simons.

While there has been some doubt in Germany raised over whether the deal will even be done, football transfer news expert Fabrizio Romano has been adamant that the Dutch playmaker is heading to London.

Speaking on Tuesday night, he said: “Chelsea keep working for Xavi Simons, I can guarantee that. They are in contact with people in charge of the deal.”

Expect this one to accelerate before Deadline Day as the Blues target their ninth summer signing costing $10 million or more.

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