While Arsenal have yet to make an official advance for the starlet, PSV have offered the player to the club – meaning that a transfer deal could be struck for as little as £34 million.
Despite this, Arsenal are not the only club who have been linked with a move for Simons in recent months – let’s take a look at who their competitors are in the race to bring him on board.
Who else, besides Arsenal, are interested in a move for Xavi Simons?
Aside from the Gunners, Manchester United and PSG have been linked with a move for the 20-year-old. As things stand, he seems unwilling to his former club of PSG – which leaves just Arsenal and United still in the running to acquire his signature.
Previously, Simons had been linked with a move to Rangers in the Scottish Premiership – but nothing has surfaced between the Gers and Simons since the summer transfer window of 2022.
Where would Simons fit into the squad?
A high-scoring attacking midfielder by trade, it is difficult to pinpoint where Simons would fit into Arsenal’s squad. While he is a natural number ten, Arteta’s system does not feature a player in this position.
As such, this leaves two options – Simons can either play as an attacking number eight (akin to the role fulfilled by Martin Odegaard) or as a winger.
Being a right-footed player, he would probably be best suited to playing on the left-wing, as this would allow him to cut inside and fire off shots on goal.
Of course, should Arteta opt to play Simons out wide, he would face stern competition from the likes of Leandro Trossard, Bukayo Saka, Reiss Nelson and Gabriel Martinelli.
Last season, while playing for PSV in the top division of Dutch football, Simons found the back of the net on 19 occasions, registering nine assists along the way.
