Chelsea, the brand new champion of the Club World Cup, wants to build a competitive team to fight Liverpool for the Premier League title. Xavi Simons is one of the 'Blues' favorite options, but his acquisition will not be easy. In the midst of the negotiation, the English have proposed an exchange that includes Christopher Nkunku.
The Frenchman has played 48 matches, scoring 15 goals and providing 5 assists in the last season with the London team, being a fundamental piece to obtain the Conference League and in the Club World Cup. The fact that those led by Enzo Maresca want to do without him in exchange for Xavi Simons is a great bet.
Chelsea has already signed Liam Delap, Jamie Gittens, Joao Pedro, Mamadou Sarr, Estevao Willian, Kendry Paez, Dario Essugo and Jorrel Hato this season for 231.9 M€.
Although they have signed several attackers, those from Stamford Bridge want Simons in their ranks, because he is a young player, 22 years old, with a lot of projection, game vision and speed. The Dutch midfielder played 33 matches in his last season with RB Leipzig, scoring 11 goals and providing 8 assists.
Nkunku, an old acquaintance of Leipzig, could be key for Xavi Simons' departure
Cristopher Nkunku already had his time at RB Leipzig between 2019 and 2023. He played 172 matches, scored 70 goals and provided 43 assists in the German team. In addition, he was key to reaching the semifinals of the Champions League in 19/20, under the guidance of Julian Nagelsmann.
According to ‘Sky Sports’, the French attacker would be close to returning to Germany, but it would be in the form of a loan. Chelsea has endorsed him going to Leipzig for a year, on the condition that the Teutonic club assumes a majority percentage of his salary in that period. The transfer of the Frenchman was closed at 60 M€ and the striker still has a contract for five more years.
RB Leipzig will not let Xavi Simons leave for less than 70 million euros
In January 2025, RB Leipzig bought Xavi Simons for 50 million from PSG, plus 31 'kilos' in variables. For this reason, the sports management of the German team wants to obtain, yes or yes, profits with the Dutch player.
Leipzig demands 70 million euros for the card of the young Dutchman, an amount that Chelsea must pay if they want to take the midfielder. If they cannot reach an economic agreement, they must exhaust the exchange option with Nkunku. The one from Lagny-sur-Marne, after the signings of Jamie Gittens and Joao Pedro, has no place in the plans of coach Enzo Maresca.