Chelsea in Xavi Simons swap deal talks as Blues 'close to agreement'

Chelsea are closing in on a move for Xavi Simons and RB Leipzig are reportedly in talks to lure a Blues star in the opposite direction. Simons is keen to secure a Premier League move this summer and he has enlisted the help of an agent, Ali Barat, who has strong ties to Stamford Bridge.

Simons racked up 17 goal contributions in 25 Bundesliga matches last season. And while the likes of Arsenal and Bayern Munich are rumoured to be admirers of the 22-year-old, Chelsea have taken the most decisive action to date. Talks have been progressing well with his camp and a new development could make the deal even easier to get over the line.

According to Sky Germany, Leipzig are pushing to sign Chelsea midfielder Carney Chukwuemeka. Discussions are thought to be underway over a move for the 21-year-old, who spent last season on loan in Germany with Borussia Dortmund.

BVB are reportedly keen to take Chukwuemeka on loan again but Chelsea are only willing to entertain a permanent sale this summer. And Leipzig could finally give them what they want as transfer negotiations between the two clubs continue.

Chelsea paid Aston Villa £20million for Chukwuemeka in 2022, and they are now believed to be asking for £40m to let him go. It remains to be seen whether Leipzig are willing to get near that figure, and whether the move would be carried out as a player-plus-cash swap for Simons or as two separate deals.

A verbal agreement between Chelsea and Simons has been described as 'close but not 100 per cent done'. The Londoners would then have to negotiate a transfer fee with Leipzig, which may or may not be straightforward.

It has been reported that around £60m could be enough to get the deal done, as although Leipzig agreed a £69m total package to sign Simons from Paris Saint-Germain, only £43m of that was paid up front and not all of the add-ons have been triggered.

The issue is complicated further by a sell-on clause PSG included in their deal with Leipzig, which would further diminish the final sum the Bundesliga side receive from Chelsea if the switch progresses.

Simons, who can play out wide or in attacking midfield, is seen as one of the most exciting young talents in Europe. But he faces a tough fight for minutes with the likes of Cole Palmer, Estevao Willian and Jamie Gittens.