Man United transfer news: Red Devils 'behind' in the race for £68.8m-rated star

The 21-year-old helped Ronald Koeman's side reach the semi-finals of Euro 2024, and he was in strong form at the competition, managing one goal and three assists in six appearances.

There is currently widespread speculation surrounding Simons's future, with the attacker potentially leaving Paris Saint-Germain on a permanent basis this summer.

Simons spent the 2023-24 campaign on loan at RB Leipzig, scoring 10 goals and registering 15 assists in 43 appearances in all competitions.

The Dutchman scored eight goals and registered 13 assists in 32 Bundesliga matches, while he contributed two goals and two assists in eight outings in the Champions League.

Romano plays down talk of Man United interest

A recent report claimed that Man United were keen on Simons, with the Red Devils allegedly pushing to bring him to Old Trafford during the summer transfer window.

However, Romano has said that Bayern Munich and Leipzig are currently the favourites, with the duo "pushing for a long time" to secure his signature.

"There have also been transfer rumours about Man United and Xavi Simons. My understanding remains that two clubs are still leading the race - Bayern and RB Leipzig," Romano wrote in his Daily Briefing for CaughtOffside.

"These two clubs are pushing, and their advantage is that they have been pushing for a long time, for the last few months."

Simons came through the youth system at Barcelona, representing their academy between 2010 and 2019, before making the move to PSG in the final stages of his youth career.

Bayern, Leipzig 'lead' the race for Simons

The attacker has only made 11 first-team appearances for PSG, though, spending the 2022-23 campaign on loan at PSV Eindhoven before going out again on loan last term.

Simons scored 22 goals and registered 12 assists in 48 appearances for PSV in all competitions, and he also starred during his second loan spell away from his parent club in 2023-24.

The Dutchman has another three years left to run on his contract in Paris, so the French champions are in a strong position when it comes to potential negotiations with interested parties.

Simons is valued by transfermarkt at €80m (£68.8m), and it is likely that PSG will be looking for a fee around that mark in order to let him leave.

However, recent reports linking Simons with a move to Old Trafford are seemingly wide of the mark, with Man United currently focusing on other priorities in the market.