Possible deciding factors in Xavi Simons’ decision to join Tottenham over Chelsea
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Charlie Grace
Fri 29 August 2025 10:40, UK
Tottenham have had a torrid time in the transfer window as they aim to sign a number 10, but a move for Xavi Simons is now close.
Thomas Frank’s side have had interest in many number 10 options this summer, courting Morgan Gibbs-White before he signed a new contract at Nottingham Forest.
Tottenham did secure the signature of Mohammed Kudus from West Ham but had a move for Eberechi Eze hijacked by North London rivals Arsenal.
Now it seems like Tottenham have done some hijacking of their own as they look set to pip Chelsea to the signing of Simons.
Simons is perhaps best known to English football fans for his wonderful goal against England in last summer’s Euro 2024 semi final, although some may remember his storied rise through La Masia which was well documented on social media.
That rise now continues and the Athletic have reported that the fee in place for Simons’ move is £51.8 million as the Dutchman has confirmed personal terms and completed his medical at Spurs.
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The most important factor when looking at whether to join Chelsea, or any other club in world football, is your guarantees of playing time.
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Chelsea have signed a plethora or attacking players under Todd Boehly’s leadership and there are no guarantees of playing time attached to a move to this current Chelsea team.
Cole Palmer and Joao Pedro would likely be ahead of Simons in the pecking order at number 10, while Pedro Neto is unlikely to be shifted at left-wing, meaning Simons couldn’t guarantee a start at his first or second favoured positions.
Meanwhile, Tottenham are enduring an injury crisis at the position with Kudus the only fit number 10 in Thomas Frank’s squad, giving Simons a clear pathway to shine alongside Kudus either as an attacking midfielder or off the left hand side in a front three.
Credit: Imago
Simons, a La Masia graduate, is a beautiful player to watch, possessing incredible technical ability and pace, and he will provide an X-factor that Tottenham sorely lack.
The 22-year-old is an intelligent player who will create chances for his teammates while also chipping in with a healthy number of goals as well.
Simons glides with the ball at his feet across open spaces and is a deft dribbler of the ball, squeezing through tight spaces and unleashing shots with great whip and dip from outside of the area.
The former-Paris Saint-Germain (PSG) star is a different profile to Spurs’ other attacking profiles and may take time to adjust to the physical side of the Premier League, but he will have no trouble playing Frank’s counter-attacking style that is so prevalent in the Bundesliga.
Simons hit the headlines when he switched Barcelona for PSG in 2019, but his online presence dwindled as his progression halted at the French giants.
A move to PSV Eindhoven reignited his career, scoring 20 goals and assisting nine in 41 starts before moving back to PSG after the Parisian club executed his buy back clause.
SeasonGoal involvementsClub2021-221PSG2022-2329PSV2023-2423RB Leipzig2024-2518RB Leipzig2025-262RB LeipzigXavi Simons’ goal involvements by season (FBref)
A loan move to RB Leipzig in 2023-24 saw Simons notch 23 goal involvements before another loan in 2024 was made permanent in January this year, with the Dutch international finishing the season with 18 goal involvements.
A move to Tottenham now signifies another stepping stone back up the football pyramid, as Simons will get to play Champions League football again – a competition that Leipzig missed out on – and platform himself in the most watched league in the world.