Manchester City ‘big fans’ of Dutch playmaker pushing for Barcelona return – Arsenal and Chelsea interested | OneFootball

Premier League champions Manchester City are among a list of clubs named as ‘big fans’ of Dutch international midfielder Xavi Simons, according to a new report.

The exciting talent becomes the latest in a long line of central players linked with moves to Manchester City this summer, amid ongoing concerns over the intentions of Bernardo Silva in particular, alongside expectations of a Kalvin Phillips departure.

Manchester City officials are also putting together contingency plans for the ageing Kevin De Bruyne, who is expected to call time on his era at the Etihad Stadium in the coming seasons, while his current contract expires in the summer of 2025.

As such, the Premier League champions have been linked with a whole host of profiles from across the game, including Newcastle United’s Bruno Guimaraes and Bayern Munich’s Jamal Musiala to name a few.

However, the latest report has linked Manchester City with an admiration and interest in one of the game’s younger rising names, but face a battle with some of their Premier League rivals and a club the player himself wants to join.

According to the information of HITC’s Graeme Bailey, Manchester City are among a quartet of Premier League clubs named as ‘big fans’ of Paris Saint-Germain playmaker Xavi Simons, who is ‘pushing’ for a return to Barcelona.

Ligue 1 giants PSG are claimed to be open to the idea of Simons leaving the Parc des Princes on another loan agreement this summer, following a hugely successful spell with Dutch side PSV Eindhoven.

That is likely to benefit Barcelona, with the La Liga giants highly unlikely to be able to finance a big-money permanent move for the player due to their ongoing financial struggles that are likely to restrict their market as a whole.

One name Manchester City are now highly unlikely to move for this summer is West Ham United’s Lucas Paqueta, who has been charged with misconduct in relation to alleged breaches of FA Rules E5 and F3, the Football Association confirmed on Thursday.

The Brazil international himself is likely to have thrown away any chance of a move to the Etihad Stadium, and issued a strong statement in response to the charge to highlight his sadness and frustration at the outcome.

“I am extremely surprised and upset that The FA has decided to charge me,” Paqueta said. “For nine months, I have cooperated with every step of their investigation and provided all the information I can.

“I deny the charges in their entirety and will fight with every breath to clear my name. Due to the ongoing process, I will not be providing any further comment.”