Chelsea target included in Leipzig camp as negotiations continue | OneFootball

Chelsea Explore Xavi Simons Move Amid Leipzig Pre-Season Inclusion

Talks continue despite Leipzig involvement

Chelsea’s pursuit of Xavi Simons remains active despite the midfielder’s inclusion in RB Leipzig’s training camp squad. The Dutch international, who has travelled with Leipzig to the Black Forest, is still in direct discussions with Chelsea over personal terms, as reported by The Standard.

Simons, 22, scored 11 goals and registered eight assists last season across all competitions. His creative profile and tactical versatility have caught the attention of Chelsea’s recruitment department, especially after Noni Madueke’s £52 million switch to Arsenal. Both players are represented by the same agency.

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Chelsea have already signed Joao Pedro, Liam Delap and Jamie Gittens this window, and Estevao Willian will also arrive ahead of the 2025/26 campaign. But the club’s intention is to further strengthen Enzo Maresca’s forward options with players who can rotate fluidly across attacking roles.

Transfer complications in play

Simons joined Leipzig permanently in January for an initial £43 million, though the deal included add-ons worth up to £27 million. If he moves again this summer, Leipzig will reportedly owe Paris Saint-Germain significantly less of those clauses due to the structure of the sell-on agreement. That dynamic has given Chelsea reason to act quickly while the financial terms remain in their favour.

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Although Simons is currently training with Leipzig, sources close to the negotiations insist that “direct talks with Chelsea over personal terms are ongoing,” leaving the door open for movement before the end of the window.

Depth key ahead of packed calendar

Chelsea’s campaign extended well into the summer due to their Club World Cup success, limiting their pre-season plans. With no long-haul tour on the cards, Maresca’s squad will need to be both deep and adaptable to avoid mid-season fatigue. Simons, who can operate centrally or out wide, fits that requirement.

His ability to switch between playmaker and wide roles offers a tactical advantage, especially with Chelsea expected to rotate heavily in domestic and continental competitions.

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There’s a pattern forming at Stamford Bridge. Big potential, young age, high fee, plenty of fanfare, and then what? Joao Pedro, Estevao, Gittens, Delap, all promising, all exciting on paper, but how many of these players get the minutes to grow?

Simons is no prospect fresh off an academy pitch. He’s been at PSG, Barca’s La Masia, and now Leipzig, where he has delivered. But there’s a difference between chasing potential and building cohesion. With this many attackers, how do you keep everyone happy? Are Chelsea planning for development or stacking depth for depth’s sake?

And let’s not forget, Leipzig only signed him permanently six months ago. If Chelsea are really going to pay a premium, there needs to be a long-term vision here. Simons deserves a platform, not a cameo role. If he signs, he needs games, trust and a clear purpose in Maresca’s system.

Otherwise, it’s just another shiny name with limited impact.