'Interesting' - Finance expert identifies 'red flag' in Xavi Simons' move to Tottenham
Below is a summary of the full article. Click here for the full version or go back to LFC Live.net.
Credit: Imago
Jack Heath
Sat 30 August 2025 13:18, UK
Xavi Simons’ stellar move to Tottenham has caught the attention of a finance expert who thinks something is concerning regarding the deal.
Tottenham fans are delighted with the signing of Xavi Simons from RB Leipzig, ending a long list of attacking-midfielder rejections this summer.
Sources told Football Insider that Man City were also interested in bring in Simons with Chelsea deciding to sign Facundo Buonanotte on-loan from Brighton as a drastic alternative to the Dutchman after Spurs hijacked the deal.
The 22-year-old has joined from the German side for a reported £51.8million (The Athletic) after spending two years on-loan with Leipzig that became permanent in January 2025 for a fee around €50m (£43.3m).
The nature of the deal has caught the eye of finance expert Stefan Borson who is surprised by the deal that was struck.
Photo by Visionhaus/Getty Images
Taking to X (29 August) as the deal was agreed between the Lilywhites and the Red Bull outfit, the finance expert Borson gave his thoughts on the agreement and approach of transfer negotiations by the German side.
He said: “Interesting that Leipzig basically flipped Simons for a small profit.
Red flag.”
MORE FOOTBALL INSIDER STORIES
Borson was likely eluding to the fact that Leipzig only just signed the Netherlands international permanently at the start of the calendar year with half a season later shipping him on for an approximate profit of £8.5m.
By immediately getting rid of the playmaker after waiting two campaigns to sign him fully, it appears the club did not value Simons as a top player but rather as a bargaining asset to sell for more money.
Football Insider verdict
The former PSV creator has bags of potential to be a sensational additional for the Lilywhites with goalscoring and the ability to dance around the pitch.
His best-scoring season saw him net 22 goals and 11 assists in 48 appearances for Eindhoven, yet this will prove to be a tricky feat to replicate in the English top-flight.
You only have to look as far as Florian Wirtz at Liverpool, who joined from Bayer Leverkusen, after his slow start to life in England.
Xavi Simons RB Leipzig 2024-25 all competitionsAppearances33Minutes played2,762Goals11Assists8(Source: Sofascore)
The German has struggled to adapt to the pace and intensity of the Premier League, failing to grab a goal or an assist in his two starts this far.
Therefore, I would advise Spurs fan to temper their expectations for Simons and give him time to settle in as it make take a month or so to get up to speed with one of the best leagues on the planet.
After a difficult summer, Tottenham have finally got their midfield magician, but he will likely cast some spells after gaining more match experience.