Transfer Talk: Man City eye Xavi Simons to replace Kevin De Bruyne

The transfer deadline might have passed across Europe’s top five leagues, but there is still business to be done this summer — and, with only four months until the January window opens, the rumour mill keeps on turning! Transfer Talk brings you all the latest buzz, comings, goings and, of course, done deals!

TOP STORY: Man City eye Simons to replace De Bruyne

Manchester City are considering Paris Saint-Germain and Netherlands midfielder Xavi Simons as a replacement for Kevin De Bruyne in the summer, but they could face pressure from Liverpool and Bayern Munich, according to Christian Falk.

The 21-year-old has been in impressive form since joining RB Leipzig on loan once again from PSG, adding a goal and an assist in his first three matches this season to his impressive haul of ten goals and 15 assists in 2023-24.

Simons, however, is said to see his future away from the French capital, and would prefer a move to the Premier League.

Simons is valued at around €80m, with his existing deal set to run out in 2027. Leipzig would also like to keep Simons on a permanent basis, but they’re unlikely to be able to afford the Dutchman long-term.

Simons has played either as an attacking midfielder or winger, and his form is not going unnoticed across Europe. With Bayern among his list of admirers, the German side are keen to land a young midfielder to lead their midfield for the next few seasons.

Simons contributed a goal contribution every 140 minutes last season, form that, if he can continue, will no doubt interest a number of clubs at the end of the season.

PAPER GOSSIP

– Arsenal, Chelsea and Paris Saint-Germain are all battling it out to sign Swedish striker Viktor Gyökeres but they are all put off by Sporting Lisbon’s £84m release clause, according to Ekrem Konur. The 26-year-old striker was being chased by a host of clubs in the summer, but he ended up staying in Portugal, and that situation is likely to continue beyond January unless Sporting lower their demands. Arsenal are considered the favourites to land the in-form attacker next summer.

– Manchester United midfielder Casemiro is expected to move to Saudi Arabia in either January or at the end of the season, according to Football Insider. The Brazilian 32-year-old has endured a tough start to the campaign under Erik ten Hag, and he’s now reconsidering his future after initially having opted to stick around in the summer to fight for his place in the team.

– Lille and England midfielder Angel Gomes is a January target for Newcastle United, according to TeamTalk. Gomes’ contract expires in 2025 and so is able to talk to other clubs in January. Last season, he was Ligue 1‘s joint highest provider of assists, with eight.

– The curious case of Adrien Rabiot continues, with the free agent still without a club and, seemingly, a decreasing number of interested parties able to afford his salary expectations, according to Calciomercato. Arsenal and Manchester United represent his best chance of a move to the Premier League, with Newcastle United having ended their interest in the French international. Rabiot, 29, who left the Bianconeri after the expiration of his contract in the summer, has so far been unable to find a new club.

– Juventus are contemplating a move for Genoa‘s young defender Honest Ahanor, despite the 16-year-old signing a contract extension until 2027. Calciomercato report the Bianconeri have been monitoring Ahanor for over a year and have been impressed with the left-footed central defender who can also play on either flank and also in midfield.