Just when Paris Saint-Germain supporters were getting over the drama of Kylian Mbappé and where he will be playing next season, another new transfer saga hit the club.
Xavi Simons just wrapped up a stellar season at RB Leipzig, where he was on loan from PSG. It was expected he would return to the French capital and be a major part of the sporting project. However, recent reports indicate that Simons isn’t keen on returning to PSG and wants another loan. Furthermore, Simons may have the flexibility in his contract with PSG to force through a loan. The situation is about as frustrating as playing slots and not hitting a winner.
Thus far, Simons has not made a comment publically about where he would like to play next season. It’s expected that the situation will be resolved before the start of the UEFA European Championship this summer, but I’m struggling to figure out why he wouldn’t want to be the face of the new PSG.
If it’s a more lucrative contract that Simons wants, PSG can compete with any club, and the two should be able to come to an agreement. If it’s playing time he wants, PSG can offer that as well. With Mbappé departing, the club will have to replace 40+ goals per season and Simons would be instrumental in that.
Does Simons want UEFA Champions League football? Well, PSG can offer that every season, and in fact, the club just reached the semi-finals with one of the youngest squads in the competition.
Luis Enrique is one of the top managers in the game today and has proven to be able to develop young talent. Just this season, we saw Vitinha emerge as one of the best midfielders in Europe, and 18-year-old Warren Zaïre-Emery continued his impressive rise as well.
The one downside that Simons may be considering is the level of Ligue 1. However, Neymar Jr. came from FC Barcelona to play in Paris, and Mbappé spent seven seasons at the Parc des Princes. Playing in the French championship at age 21 isn’t the worst thing in the world. Simons is under contract with PSG until 2027, so he’ll still be in his prime should he choose to leave at the end of his current deal.
Everything makes sense for Simons to return to PSG, but it will take careful negotiating and convincing from PSG’s president, Nasser Al-Khelaifi, and Luis Enrique. If he does return, PSG supporters will be ecstatic for the potential of next season.
