Xavi Simons is linked to clubs like Bayern Munich, Manchester United, and RB Leipzig for a potential summer move. However, rather than move long-term, the 21-year-old and Paris Saint-Germain might have to accept a short-term solution to this transfer saga.
Le Parisien’s Benjamin Quarez reported this past week that Simons is set to join RB Leipzig on loan. This short-term decision also allows PSG to retain full control over his future in 2025 and gives them the potential to receive the entire transfer fee next summer.
If Simons were sold this summer, PSV would claim 60 percent of the fee. Simons has no plans to return to PSG, as his real ambition is to play in the Premier League, possibly in 2025.
Nonetheless, this decision does come with risk as there’s no guarantee that Simons will replicate his 2023-24 success, or perhaps the injury bug could hit him, which affects his play and value.
Despite the risk, CBS Sports’ Jonathan Johnson understands the risk the capital club is taking instead of working out a transfer solution with Bayern Munich or Manchester United.
“There is an element of a gamble, but PSG don’t really have that much of a choice because they’re sort of up again while they’re over a barrel a little bit, because they know that the alternative is selling him now while his value is high, but knowing that a big chunk of that is not going to go to them, it’s going to go to PSV,” Johnson said on the latest episode of PSG Talking. “So I think they’re sort of hedging their bets. You could say that even though Xavi Simon’s value is at its highest right now because he had a bit of a breakout euro with the Netherlands, there’s reason for confidence at PSG that he’s going to continue along his current trajectory.
“Let’s be honest, Xavier Simon isn’t some sort of flash in the pan like overnight kind of success story. People have known for a while that he’s sort of on the path to potential superstardom… So there will be a feeling that he will retain a large bulk of his value should he stay fit and healthy. Obviously that is sort of the main consideration. But also, if he was to pick up an injury, or maybe his second season with Leipzig, assuming it goes ahead, is not quite as fruitful as the first, maybe then there is also a possibility for the PSG project to change a little again, and maybe, just maybe, persuade him to come back and play a part for PSG in the future.
“Yes, you have to look at it from all the different angles, but certainly, there is an element of risk involved. It makes more sense to make that risk at this moment in time than trying to cash in and essentially getting a much lower price than you would be able to get, say, in twelve months’ time.”
