In a revealing turn of events within the world of football, Liverpool and Manchester City are both keenly pursuing RB Leipzig's talented midfielder, Xavi Simons. The ongoing competition to secure the 21-year-old Dutchman underscores both clubs' ambitions to bolster their attacking line-ups as they gear up for the new season.
Reports indicate that Liverpool is preparing to make an €80 million bid for Simons. The young midfielder has made a significant impact during his time at Leipzig, leading to increased interest from top clubs across Europe. After his return to Paris Saint-Germain in 2023, he was promptly loaned to Leipzig, where he later signed a permanent deal worth over €50 million in January 2025, reportedly with add-ons that could eventually raise the total to €80 million.
Simons has emerged as a key player for Leipzig, demonstrating his skills by starting 18 games and contributing seven goals and five assists this season. His performance has caught the eye of Liverpool, particularly as uncertainty swirls around the future of Egyptian star Mohamed Salah. In the wake of Salah’s potential departure, the Reds view Simons as a player capable of injecting new dynamism into their offense.
While Liverpool's management appears serious about their €80 million offer, they are not the only club vying for Simons’ signature. Manchester City has also thrown their hat into the ring, presenting a reported offer of €110 million as they seek a successor for the legendary Kevin De Bruyne. This move highlights the intent of City’s manager, Pep Guardiola, to secure a midfielder who can stabilize and enhance their central game play.
The financial intricacies surrounding Simons' transfer complicate matters, however. As noted by football journalist Christian Falk, "It’s clear any offer needs to be over €50 million – €60 million wouldn’t be enough, but if it gets to €70 million, they can’t say no to Xavi if he wants to make the next step to the Premier League." This suggests that Liverpool’s bid might fall shy of Leipzig's expectations if they wish to solidify their claim on the player amid interest from City.
Leipzig's hierarchy is aware of Simons’ skyrocketing market value, hoping to capitalize on his talents before selling him. There have even been suggestions that if an offer exceeds €70 million, Leipzig would be highly inclined to negotiate, especially given the unpredictable nature of transfer dealings.
Moreover, Simons has not just generated interest from Liverpool and City. Rival clubs like Manchester United and Arsenal are similarly monitoring the situation. However, financial evaluations could hinder Manchester United, posing a challenge as they aim to maintain competitiveness in a rapidly evolving market.
Bayern Munich's sporting director, Christoph Freund, praised Simons as “an exceptional player,” reflecting the view within the Bundesliga that he could achieve even greater success at Europe’s elite clubs. His Leipzig coach, Marco Rose, echoed this sentiment, labeling him a "difference maker"—a fitting description given Simons' ability to alter the course of a game.
The stakes are high for Liverpool, who also grapple with their own contract decisions for other pivotal players, including Salah, Trent Alexander-Arnold, and Virgil van Dijk. These decisions are crucial as they might shape the transfer budget available for a player of Simons’ caliber.
As Liverpool and City maneuver their way through the complexities of this transfer, the broader implications on their respective rosters and the upcoming season's competition become clear. Both clubs are showcasing their willingness to invest heavily in young talent to maintain dominance in their leagues and ensure progression in European competitions.
Ultimately, only time will tell where Xavi Simons will play next season, but what remains undeniable is that he embodies the promise and possibility that both Liverpool and Manchester City are hunting for. With both clubs eager to strengthen ahead of what is poised to be a highly competitive campaign, the fight for Simons could represent just the beginning of a thrilling transfer saga.
