The blockbuster Chelsea and RB Leipzig swap transfer deal that could smash the summer window
Chelsea are closing in on a deal to sign a talented Netherlands international - with another star potentially moving in the opposite direction
Chelsea’s mission to collect as many of Europe’s top young assets as possible continues with rampant speculation linking the club with a move for RB Leipzig wonderkid Xavi Simons.
It’s reported by Sky Germany that Leipzig have now been officially informed that Chelsea want to sign Simons - and it’s also reported by the outlet that Saxony-based outfit are willing to do business as long as their valuation is met.
Simons would add further flair and excitement to an already stacked Chelsea team which includes the likes of Cole Palmer, Pedro Neto, Nicolas Jackson and Christopher Nkunku along with new signings Estêvão Willian, Jamie Gittens, Liam Delap and Joao Pedro.
Why Chelsea are interested in Xavi Simons
Xavi Simons is a 22-year-old Netherlands international, who is blessed with quick feet, great speed, excellent technique, impressive vision and an eye for both a goal and an assist. He’s a very versatile footballer that has mainly operated as a No.10 throughout his career. However, in more recent times he’s proven himself to be equally as effective as a left-sided winger while often cutting inside onto his preferred right foot to curl in shots at goal.
Simons came through the star-studded academy of Paris Saint-Germain but struggled for opportunities during the club’s Galacticos era. He first departed in 2021 to join PSV and was a teenage sensation with 22 goals and 11 assists from 48 matches in Eindhoven before the Parisian’s swiftly activated a £6m buy-back clause.
He was instantly sent back on loan to RB Leipzig upon returning to the French capital and has spent the last three seasons of his career in Germany, progressing into one of the most coveted players in the Bundesliga. In January, Leipzig broke their club-record transfer fee of £42m to land Simons, but the youngster informed the club of his intention to leave just months later, citing their failure to qualify for the Champions League as his main reason. Simons boasts an overall record of 21 goals and 23 assists across 76 matches in Germany while he’s also been capped 28 times for Netherlands, scoring five times, including a notable strike from distance in the semi-final of Euro 2024 against England.
Chelsea are believed to be huge admirers of Simons and are thought to be advancing towards a deal with Sky Germany claiming a verbal agreement between the player and the Blues is close. Fabrizio Romano has told Give Me Sport that a deal of around £65m will be required to make this deal happen.
The blockbuster swap deal that could take place between Chelsea and RB Leipzig
RB Leipzig are already planning for life without Xavi Simons and have reportedly made out-of-favour Chelsea playmaker Carney Chukwuemeka one of their main targets.
Chukwuemeka, a one-time Aston Villa wonderkid, joined Chelsea for around £20m in 2022 despite only playing 14 league matches.He in many ways was the original example of the club’s new recruitment strategy of signing youngsters on long-term contracts.
The former England Under-20 international showed signs of promise in his early weeks by scoring against West Ham just weeks after signing but struggled for minutes in a chaotic environment which saw three different managers take charge in 2022/23.He remained a peripheral player under Mauricio Pochettino and barely played in the first half of last season under Enzo Maresca after failing to make the club’s Premier League squad.
Chukwuemeka played 17 times in total for Borussia Dortmund after joining on loan in the second half of last term and was even allowed to feature in the Club World Cup for them over the summer. However, the Blues have now decided they only want to cash in on him, leaving RB Leipzig and Dortmund fighting it out for his signature.
This could lead to Chelsea potentially using Chukwuemeka, who is surplus to requirements as a sweetener in the Simons deal while potentially cutting down some of the price. Perhaps an offer of around £50m which would see Leipzig make a £5m profit while offering Chukwuemeka as part of the deal could help smoothen a potential deal which would suit both parties.