Man Utd and Arsenal-linked Xavi Simons makes crunch decision on future

Xavi Simons wants to leave RB Leipzig this summer, with the Netherlands international likely to cost around £63m and the Premier League his most likely destination.

Still just 22 years old, the forward has had an eventful career so far, with two spells at Paris Saint-Germain, an impressive season at PSV and now already set to move on from Leipzig after signing for them permanently in January this year.

Simons has scored nine Bundesliga goals in 24 games this season, making his loan switch from PSG permanent in the winter transfer window.

The Dutchman has long been linked with a move to the Premier League, with Manchester United and Arsenal touted as possible destinations, with this summer now looking a likely time for him to make the switch to England.

Transfer expert Fabrizio Romano reports that the player wants to leave in the coming transfer window and RB Leipzig are aware.

As are interested clubs, with suitors from the Premier League and Bundesliga, with Bayern Munich named as being ‘attentive’ to his situation.

However, a Premier League switch is reportedly more likely given his substantial asking price of ‘around €75m’ (£63m).

Simons spent some of his youth career at Barcelona and Romano’s report states that he wants to return to the Camp Nou at some stage of his career but this summer is unlikely.

The Red Devils and the Gunners were credited with an interest in the Amsterdam-born forward last summer, while Manchester City were also believed to be keen on him.

Both Manchester United and Arsenal are sure to be in the market to strengthen their forward line in the coming transfer window, so Simons will still be on their radars.

RB Leipzig are not having their best season, sitting seventh ahead of the final game of the Bundesliga campaign and with Zsolt Low still in interim charge after Marco Rose left his post as manager in March.

Simons is believed to want to play Champions League football, which he has done with Leipzig, but now will not next season.

Speaking last month, he told Sky Germany: ‘I’m still a young player, I have many dreams and the club knows that. But right now, the most important thing for me is to play well in the upcoming games.’

Simons came in for criticism of sorts from Low earlier this month when he was handed the captain’s armband but did not live up to his manager’s expectations.

‘We talked about why he would get the captain’s armband and what we expect from him before the Frankfurt game,’ Low said of Simons. ‘It’s clear that he hasn’t been able to fulfil that role.

‘He tried, but there’s still room for improvement.’