Barcelona move for Xavi Simons could rule out other targets | OneFootball

Over the past week, Paris Saint-Germain loanee Xavi Simons has emerged as a candidate to join Barcelona this summer, heading back to the club that saw him through his formative years. However his prospective arrival, even if it were just on loan, may be instead of, rather than in addition to, two of their long-term targets.

Simons, 21, is enjoying a fine season at RB Leipzig, where he has nine goals and fifteen assists in 42 appearances, but there is little certainty on where he will be playing his future next season. A meeting with PSG is due to take place in the coming weeks, but as things stand, it looks as if he will be leaving again.

With Barcelona interested in a loan deal, Matteo Moretto has told Football España that any deal is unlikely to impact on a potential extension of Joao Felix’s loan from Atletico Madrid. However it would make Barcelona less likely to go for Athletic Club’s Nico Williams or Leipzig’s Dani Olmo, who have been strongly linked with the Blaugrana.

Both Olmo and Williams would likely cost in excess of €50m, thus it’s possible that Simons has been identified as the low-cost alternative for the role. Barcelona’s top priority is a pivot in midfield too, meaning the chances of them having the money to sign either Olmo or Williams within their salary limit are slim, perhaps making Simons the most probable choice.