Chelsea are making a strong push to sign RB Leipzig star Xavi Simons and are open to including Christopher Nkunku as part of the deal.
According to a report from Graeme Bailey on TBR Football, Chelsea are making significant progress in talks to sign RB Leipzig mainstay Xavi Simons. During talks with the Bundesliga outfit, they have proposed the idea of including their former star Christopher Nkunku as a part of the deal.
While things did not go according to plan for Simons at PSG, he has certainly got his career back on track with loan moves at PSV Eindhoven and Leipzig. He joined the German club back in 2023 on a two-year loan deal.
On the back of his impressive performances, RB Leipzig made the move permanent at the start of the year. Despite struggling with an ankle injury last season, the Dutch international finished with 11 goals and eight assists in his 33 outings.
While it has only been six months since his move became permanent, Xavi Simons could still end up parting ways with Leipzig this summer. He still has two years left on his contract, but the 22-year-old seems ready to take the next step in his career.
Multiple top clubs are interested in his signature, but he seems to have his heart set on a move to Chelsea. The Dutch playmaker has made it clear to Leipzig that he only wants a move to Stamford Bridge after the Blues made an initial approach last week.
Following the green light from the player’s end, the two clubs are now in talks to get a deal over the line. The Bundesliga club are looking for around £60 million to part ways with one of their best players.
Chelsea offer Nkunku to Leipzig
During negotiations to sign Xavi Simons, the Blues have offered RB Leipzig the opportunity to re-sign Christopher Nkunku, who left them to join Chelsea back in 2023 in a deal worth £52 million. The 27-year-old struggled with injuries in his debut season, and he was reduced to a rotational role in his second season despite being in red-hot form.
Nkunku is unlikely to have a prominent role next season as well. As a result, he is keen on leaving, and the Blues are also ready to sanction his departure. Including him in a deal for Simons will lower the cost of that operation and also get the 27-year-old off their books.