By MATT BARLOW, FOOTBALL WRITER
Published: 13:08 EDT, 27 August 2025 | Updated: 13:22 EDT, 27 August 2025
Tottenham have emerged as contenders to sign Xavi Simons, whose proposed move from Leipzig to Chelsea has stalled.
Dutch international Simons has two years remaining on his contract. He is looking for a move to the Premier League and Leipzig are prepared to sell for £60million, with their sights set on Liverpool’s Harvey Elliott as a replacement, according to Bild in Germany.
Chelsea have been on the trail of Simons for weeks with personal terms said to be agreed, although the London club is currently focused on outgoings and yet to make any sort of official move.
The delay has given Thomas Frank a chance to consider the 22-year-old as a solution to their quest for more midfield creativity having failed to land either Eberechi Eze or Morgan Gibbs-White in this transfer window.
Simons fits the profile Spurs like. He is young with scope to develop. His high-energy style is a good fit for Frank. He dazzled in the youth ranks at Barcelona before moving to Paris Saint-Germain at 16 and left for a year with at PSV before the French giants exercised a buy-back clause. Leipzig signed him in January after spending 18 months there on loan.
Tottenham are reportedly interested in a move for RB Leipzig midfielder Xavi Simons
Although Simons has appeared close to joining Chelsea, Thomas Frank wants to sign him
Enzo Maresca's Chelsea reportedly need to sign more players if they are to bring in Simons
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The German club are believed to want £60million for Simons, who will also have significant wage demands.
Another midfielder, Maghnes Akliouche, is also being tracked by Tottenham.
The 23-year-old has received his first callup to the France senior squad for games against Ukraine and Iceland.
Tottenham were especially frustrated to miss out on Eze to Arsenal when the England international appeared close to joining them from Crystal Palace.
Simons has less than two years remaining on his contract at Leipzig, with the Netherlands midfielder's future appearing to lie elsewhere.
He started his senior career at Paris Saint-Germain and had a spell at PSV before returning to PSG and subsequently joining Leipzig on loan.
Simons signed for Leipzig permanently in January this year but informed the club in May that he wanted to depart after they failed to qualify for the Champions League.
Tottenham will be competing in Europe's elite club competition, which could be appealing for Simons.
Tottenham are also tracking another midfielder in Monaco's Maghnes Akliouche
Mohammed Kudus has been the main arrival for Tottenham so far in this transfer window, while Kevin Danso and Mathys Tel made their loan moves permanent.
Joao Palhinha has also arrived from Bayern Munich in a loan move with an option for a permanent transfer.