Arsenal looking to hijack PSG’s Xavi Simons transfer despite French giants having buy-back clause for midfield sensation
ARSENAL are reportedly interested in hijacking PSG’s move for promising midfielder Xavi Simons.
The Dutch prospect is currently at PSV, having left the French giants last summer.
PSG do have a release clause of £5.1million but he is not keen on a return to the French capital with Arsenal willing to pounce, according to GFFN.
Mikel Arteta is keen on adding more depth to his squad this summer after seeing his Gunners fall away in their title challenge last season.
Simmons, 20, would provide the Spaniard with a decent option off the bench and as a potential first-team starter as he has plenty of room to improve.
However, the report claims that Simons would want to be guaranteed game time at his new club, with PSV set to offer him the captaincy of the team.
For Arsenal to be in the running for his signature they would need to match PSG’s buyback clause.
Simons had spent two years with PSG after he left Barcelona in 2020 after failing to agree a new contract at the Nou Camp.
But he struggled to break into the first team at the Parc des Princes as he only featured in seven Ligue 1 games.
This led him to join PSV last summer on a five-year deal.
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He made 48 appearances for the Dutch outfit in all competitions, scoring 22 goals and assisting 12 more.
In what was a breakout season, he has also featured five times for the Dutch national side and made his debut at the World Cup in Qatar.
Meanwhile, Arsenal are set to bid a third time for West Ham star Declan Rice.
The Gunners have already seen two bids rejected for the England international and face competition from Manchester City should they fail again.
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