Tottenham Hotspur are on the verge of signing Xavi Simons, the talented Dutch attacker from RB Leipzig, in a deal reportedly worth 60 million euros (£51.8 million). The 22-year-old Netherlands international is already in England and is understood to have completed his medical ahead of finalizing his move to manager Thomas Frank's side.
A Deal Close to Completion
The clubs have reached an agreement in principle over the overall package for Simons, with the finer details expected to be concluded within the next 24 hours. This signing would add to Spurs’ summer acquisitions, joining Joao Palhinha and Mohammed Kudus as part of the club’s efforts to strengthen the squad.
Earlier this summer, Tottenham failed in their bid to sign Nottingham Forest’s attacking midfielder Morgan Gibbs-White, while one of their main targets, Eberechi Eze, chose to join rivals Arsenal from Crystal Palace. Chelsea had also held talks with Leipzig over Simons but are now set to complete a £40 million move for Manchester United’s Alejandro Garnacho.
Who Is Xavi Simons?
Simons is a product of Barcelona’s La Masia academy, having joined the famed youth setup at just seven years old. He quickly became a standout talent, gaining over a million Instagram followers by age 14 and securing a contract with Nike. However, at 16, after failing to agree on a new contract with Barcelona, he moved to Paris Saint-Germain, following in the footsteps of his idol Neymar, who reportedly looked after him like a "little brother."
Simons made his PSG debut at 17 but found first-team opportunities limited, making just 11 senior appearances before seeking regular football elsewhere. He spent two seasons at RB Leipzig, scoring 22 goals and providing 24 assists in 78 appearances across all competitions. His versatility allows him to operate on either wing or behind the striker, and he speaks six languages.
Internationally, Simons has made 28 appearances for the Netherlands and became the country’s youngest player to feature in the knockout stages of the World Cup during the 2022 tournament in Qatar.
Where Will Simons Fit at Tottenham?
BBC Sport’s Jordan Butler describes Simons as a "very exciting modern attacker," but questions remain about where he will fit into Thomas Frank’s tactical setup. Frank has shown tactical flexibility, using a 5-3-2 formation in the Super Cup final against Paris Saint-Germain and a more familiar 4-3-3 in the Premier League.
Simons is best suited to the 4-3-3, where he would likely play on the left side of the front three, cutting inside onto his favored right foot. Last season at Leipzig, he spent 75% of his time on the left flank but can also play centrally or on the right if needed.
However, adapting to Frank’s style may take time. Former Leipzig manager Marco Rose often deployed Simons deeper in a 4-4-2 or in a narrow 4-2-2-2 formation, which encouraged full-backs to push forward. This suggests Simons will need to adjust to the demands of Frank’s system.
Expert Analysis
Former coach Edu Rubio, who has worked with West Ham, Wolves, and Crystal Palace, praised Simons’ qualities:
"Simons' range of passing is excellent, and he possesses a fantastic ability to carry the ball at pace, making him a great asset when launching attacks. He can add goals but may struggle at times with his weaker foot. He is very committed defensively and can help with high pressing and counter-pressing. He may need to adapt to the Premier League’s physicality, but there is no doubt he is a very exciting modern attacker with a lot to offer."
A Premier League Move Amidst Big Interest
Simons’ move to Tottenham would be the second major transfer from RB Leipzig to the Premier League this summer, following Benjamin Sesko’s £73.7 million transfer to Manchester United. The Dutchman has been linked with top European clubs including Chelsea, Arsenal, Manchester United, and Bayern Munich, but it appears Spurs have secured his signature.
Conclusion: A Statement Signing for Spurs?
Xavi Simons’ arrival at Tottenham represents a significant coup for Thomas Frank and the club’s ambitions. His technical skill, versatility, and youthful energy could provide Spurs with a much-needed creative spark in attack. As the Premier League season unfolds, all eyes will be on how quickly Simons adapts and whether he can fulfill the high expectations placed upon him.
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