Will FC Barcelona go for Xavi Simons this summer? That seemed like a utopian idea. However, after the latest moves made by the Blaugrana team in the transfer market, it is an option that cannot be completely ruled out.
Meeting between Deco and Xavi Simons' entourage
According to journalist Carlos Monfort in SPORT, the sporting director of the culé team, Deco, met this Thursday with two key names in the management of the talented Dutch player's affairs: Ali Barat, who serves as his advisor in making decisions about his sports career, and Faustino Simons, brother of the former PSV Eindhoven player, another fundamental figure in the Amsterdam native's market decisions.
This summit lasted approximately 45 minutes and was held in a hotel in Barcelona. A particularly striking meeting considering the fact that Xavi Simons is apparently ready to take a new step in his career, so he would be willing to leave RB Leipzig, a team that, for the first time since the 2016/17 season, will not compete in European competition (Champions, Europa or Conference League).
Will Barcelona join the race for Xavi Simons?
With this in mind, it is not at all strange that Xavi Simons' entourage remains in contact with various European clubs to explore a possible transfer of the Dutch international in this summer window, including FC Barcelona. The culé team, during Xavi Hernández's time as coach, already showed interest in having his services.
An idea that Simons was not oblivious to and does not seem to reject, since on more than one occasion he has shown his desire to return to Barça, a team he was part of in the youth academy and to which he still has affection.
| MATCHES | G | A | MIN. PLAYED |
|---|---|---|---|
| 33 | 11 | 8 | 2,763' |
The Dutchman's signing: complicated for Barça's economy
However, an offensive for Xavi Simons this summer by the Catalan team seems, to say the least, quite complicated. Although the Dutchman could fit in well sportingly, being a piece capable of reinforcing the left wing or acting in the midfield area, in addition to being an exponent with undeniable Barça DNA and good ties with several players in the Blaugrana dressing room, the main obstacle remains the economic one.
The cost of Xavi Simons would be around 70-80 M€. A stellar outlay that, for the moment, does not seem affordable for the economy of Barcelona. However, with this meeting, the Barcelona club has taken a first step to learn about the player's situation and keep him, at least, on their radar of possible reinforcements. However, everything indicates that his name is not being followed with the same eagerness as other assets such as Luis Díaz (Liverpool) or Marcus Rashford (Manchester United).