Chelsea are in talks with RB Leipzig over Xavi Simons, with Christopher Nkunku potentially heading the other way in a swap deal.
According to Sebastien Vidal, Chelsea are keen on acquiring the services of Xavi Simons. The Blues are in talks with RB Leipzig, and both parties are currently discussing a potential swap deal involving Christopher Nkunku.
Simons has been on fire since joining the Bundesliga club in the summer of 2023. While it was an initial two-year-long loan deal, Leipzig made the move permanent at the start of the year for £43 million.
The 23-year-old Dutch international still has two years left on his deal, but he seems keen on making the move to a bigger club. The Bundesliga outfit are ready to negotiate his departure, and they are looking for a fee close to £60 million.
Chelsea closing in on Simons’s signature
While there is no shortage of interest in Xavi Simons, Chelsea have been the most serious of suitors to this point. The Blues have already added a lot of firepower to their squad, but they are still looking for more. Simons is a top target for them as he is a perfect fit for their project, as well as Enzo Maresca’s system. His ability to feature anywhere in attack could do wonders for them.
The West London outfit already have an agreement on personal terms with the 23-year-old, and they are in talks with RB Leipzig. Chelsea want to wrap up the deal as quickly as possible. At this point, both clubs are discussing a potential swap deal involving Xavi Simons and Christopher Nkunku.
The former Leipzig star joined the Blues for £52 million back in 2023. While he was expected to be one of the leaders of their attack, the move has not gone according to plan for him. A serious injury kept him on the sidelines for the majority of his debut campaign, and he hasn’t been able to establish himself as a key figure under Maresca.
Nkunku does not want to continue being a rotational option, and he is pushing for a move away. Meanwhile, Chelsea are also ready to cash in on him as it will help them complete Simons’s signing and push for Manchester United winger Alejandro Garnacho.
RB Leipzig are open to a swap deal involving Xavi Simons and Christopher Nkunku
While Chelsea are ready to offer Nkunku in a deal to sign the Dutch international, they will also have to add cash. Another report from the Daily Telegraph has suggested that Leipzig are interested in re-signing the 27-year-old as part of the deal that will see Simons move the other way.
They won’t have to look for a replacement as Nkunku can certainly help them cope with the former PSG star’s departure. Meanwhile, the French international will get a chance to revive his career and get back on the national team ahead of the World Cup.