Chelsea are closing in on a move for Xavi Simons and RB Leipzig are reportedly in talks to lure a Blues star in the opposite direction. Simons is keen to secure a Premier League move this summer and he has enlisted the help of an agent, Ali Barat, who has strong ties to Stamford Bridge.
Simons racked up 17 goal contributions in 25 Bundesliga matches last season. And while the likes of Arsenal and Bayern Munich are rumoured to be admirers of the 22-year-old, Chelsea have taken the most decisive action to date. Talks have been progressing well with his camp and a new development could make the deal even easier to get over the line. According to Sky Germany, Leipzig are pushing to sign Chelsea midfielder Carney Chukwuemeka. Discussions are thought to be underway over a move for the 21-year-old, who spent last season on loan in Germany with Borussia Dortmund.
BVB are reportedly keen to take Chukwuemeka on loan again but Chelsea are only willing to entertain a permanent sale this summer. And Leipzig could finally give them what they want as transfer negotiations between the two clubs continue. Chelsea paid Aston Villa £20million for Chukwuemeka in 2022, and they are now believed to be asking for £40m to let him go. It remains to be seen whether Leipzig are willing to get near that figure, and whether the move would be carried out as a player-plus-cash swap for Simons or as two separate deals. A verbal agreement between Chelsea and Simons has been described as ‘close but not 100 per cent done’. The Londoners would then have to negotiate a transfer fee with Leipzig, which may or may not be straightforward.
