Xavi Simons and Alejandro Garnacho are two high-profile attackers frequently linked with moves to Chelsea this summer, but it looks like only the latter will be on his way to Stamford Bridge.
The Blues have been linked with some huge names in the transfer window, including RB Leipzig’s Xavi Simons and Manchester United’s Alejandro Garnacho. It was claimed that Chelsea were stalling over moves for Simons and Garnacho because their focus was on player sales. Now, both transfer sagas have come to life in the last 24 hours.
Tottenham are set to complete the signing of Simons after agreeing a £52m deal for the 22-year-old attacking midfielder. Apparently, Enzo Maresca’s side won’t be attempting a late hijack of the deal.
On the flip side, Garnacho will undergo a Chelsea medical on Friday ahead of his imminent switch to West London.
Even though the Blues appear to have missed out on Simons, they are adding rapid 21-year-old winger Garnacho to the squad.
Xavi Simons playing for RB Leipzig against Stuttgart in the Bundesliga.
Photo by RONNY HARTMANN/AFP via Getty Images
Xavi Simons felt that Chelsea were prioritising Alejandro Garnacho
Maresca spoke with Simons and convinced him to join Chelsea earlier in the summer, but it turns out the club never followed it up to finalise a transfer with Leipzig.
Journalist Fabrizio Romano has explained that Spurs swooped in and negotiated the Simons deal because their Premier League rivals never closed the deal. In addition, the Netherlands international had a ‘feeling’ that Chelsea’s focus was on landing Garnacho from Man Utd.
Romano said via his YouTube channel: “Last week I told you behind the scenes that Tottenham tried for Xavi Simons, but the player wants to go to Chelsea. And Tottenham started trying 10 days ago.
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“The feeling from Xavi Simons is that Chelsea wanted to close the Alejandro Garnacho deal before everything. Chelsea wanted to be fast on Garnacho. For Xavi Simons, they never closed the deal with Leipzig. They were in advanced conversations, at some point very close, but never done.”
In fairness, Chelsea have prioritised signing a new winger before the summer’s deadline, so Simons was spot on the money.
While many will argue that Simons is a more exciting footballer with a greater ceiling, Garnacho is a natural fit to join the Blues and immediately compete for a starting spot on the left wing. If Simons now shines in Spurs colours, Chelsea may look back at their decision with some regret.
We suspect that Chelsea supporters may be pretty frustrated in this exact moment to miss out on someone who’s been at the heart of transfer rumours this summer.
Alejandro Garnacho of Manchester United looks on during the UEFA Europa League 2024/25 League Phase MD7 match between Manchester United and Rangers FC at Old Trafford on January 23, 2025 in Manchester, England.
Photo by Carl Recine/Getty Images
Extra pressure on Alejandro Garnacho
We suspect Chelsea supporters will apply even more pressure on Garnacho to hit the ground running now that they’ve missed out on Simons.
We’re confident that Simons can bring the creativity and excitement to the Premier League that he showed in the Bundeslgia. Unfortunately, he’ll be slotting into Thomas Frank’s new-look Spurs outfit.
As for Garnacho, the fast winger has proven he can deliver in England’s top division, but there are still plenty of question marks around him, both on and off the pitch.