Chelsea v AC Milan - Pre-Season Friendly
Enzo Maresca is pushing Chelsea to sign Xavi Simons (Picture: Getty)
Chelsea have offered RB Leipzig two players as they look to agree a deal to sign Xavi Simons.
The Blues have already spent over £200m this summer but intend to complete more business before the summer transfer window closes.
Chelsea identified Simons as a target earlier in the summer and have been in constant talks with Leipzig over a deal.
Simons, a talented playmaker, has scored 21 goals in 76 appearances for the Bundesliga club and earned 28 caps for the Netherlands.
RB Leipzig value Simons at around £60m but Chelsea are keen to drive that price down and are even willing to send a player the other way.
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Chelsea have mentioned Christopher Nkunku during negotiations and believe the German club are interested in a deal for their £52m signing, according to The Guardian.
Nkunku was named the Bundesliga Player of the Season and was the league’s top goalscorer before his miserable spell at Stamford Bridge.
Netherlands v Malta - FIFA World Cup 2026 Qualifier
RB Leipzig star and Chelsea target Xavi Simons (Picture: Getty)
The 27-year-old has been linked with Bayern Munich and multiple Premier League clubs over the last six months and wants a move to revive his stuttering career.
Despite his struggles in west London, Chelsea still value Nkunku at around £40m so would be happy to pay a sizeable fee on top for Simons.
RB Leipzig have also expressed interest in Chelsea academy graduate Tyrique George, who made his first-team debut last season and was on the bench as the Blues won the Conference League final against Real Betis.
Who have Chelsea signed this summer?
Jamie Gittens – £48m from Borussia Dortmund
Joao Pedro – £55m from Brighton
Liam Delap – £30m from Ipswich Town
Mamadou Sarr – £12m from Lyon
Dario Essugo – £18m from Sporting CP
Estevao Willian – £29m from Palmeiras
Kendry Paez – £17m from Independiente del Valle
Jorrol Hato – £37m from Ajax
The 19-year-old has been at Stamford Bridge since the age of eight and transfer expert Fabrizio Romano claims Chelsea are open to using him as part of the deal.
George has indicated he is keen to explore his options this summer as he knows regular first-team football will be hard to come by next season.
Given Chelsea’s heavy spending this summer, any deal for Simons will rely on player sales, with Nicolas Jackson also put up for sale.
Chelsea FC v Bayer 04 Leverkusen - Pre-Season Friendly
Chelsea are open to offloading academy graduate Tyrique George (Picture: Getty)
Jackson was linked with Manchester United before they spent £74m on Benjamin Sesko and remains a figure of interest to Newcastle.
Newcastle are considering their options for the No. 9 position after Alexander Isak informed the club he wanted to leave and join Premier League champions Liverpool.
The Carabao Cup holders have told Isak he will not be sold but Newcastle are at least making some arrangements for his sudden departure.
Chelsea initially slapped a staggering £80m price-tag on Jackson but have already slashed that figure to drum up interest.
Enzo Maresca’s side thumped AC Milan 4-1 at Stamford Bridge on Sunday in their final pre-season friendly before the Premier League starts on Friday.
Chelsea, who finished fourth last season, kick-start their 2025-26 campaign next Sunday against London rivals Crystal Palace.
As well as pursuing Simons, Chelsea are still interested in signing Alejandro Garnacho from Manchester United.
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