Manchester City, Barcelona deal blow in Xavi Simons pursuit?

After leaving PSG for Dutch club PSV Eindhoven in the summer of 2022, Simons returned to the the French capital in July following a successful campaign in the Netherlands.

Simons registered 22 goals and 12 assists in 48 appearances for PSV, which ultimately convinced PSG to exercise their buy-back option.

The 20-year-old put pen to paper on a four-year contract, before being loaned out to German club RB Leipzig for the 2023-24 season.

Prior to his return to the French champions, Simons allegedly attracted interest from the likes of Man City and Barcelona.

According to 90min, PSG view Simons as an important part of their plans, which may end Man City and Barcelona's hopes of signing the youngster in the near future.

Manchester United were also keen on signing Simons over the summer, with Erik ten Hag said to be an admirer of the Netherlands international.

Leipzig has supposedly made tentative enquiries about keeping the attacker beyond the end of the current season, but PSG are unlikely to agree to their proposal.

The Parisians have made it clear to Simons and any interested parties that he features heavily in their long-term plans.

PSG have been impressed with the player's start to his loan spell with Leipzig, which has allowed him to play regular football and compete in the Champions League.

Since joining die Roten Bullen, Simons has scored three goals and provided four assists in six Bundesliga appearances.

Simons, who has earned five caps for the Netherlands, also played the duration of Wednesday's 3-1 defeat to Manchester City in the Champions League.

The winger is expected to make a seventh consecutive Bundesliga start when Leipzig face Bochum at the Red Bull Arena on Saturday.