PSV Eindhoven have confirmed that Xavi Simons has left their training camp to complete a transfer to Paris Saint-Germain.
PSG had triggered Simons’ €6m buy-back clause, and it now appears he’s set to finalise personal terms to rejoin his former club.
Fabrizio Romano reports that there are two options for Simons now.
If Kylian Mbappe or Neymar leave PSG, Simons will stay. If both of them stay, the 20-year-old will go out on loan for the coming season.
Arsenal had been linked with a cut-price move for Xavi Simons this summer, but reports from the Netherlands played down the possibility.
Rik Elfrink reported for Dutch outlet ED last week that Arsenal weren’t in talks to sign Simons. At the time, it appeared the PSV player wanted to stay with his current club, though that clearly changed.
PSV were reportedly offering to name Simons their new captain if he stayed, but that evidently wasn’t enough to convince him.
Speaking in June, Simons admitted Ruud van Nistelrooy’s decision to resign as PSV manager could affect his plans for the future.
“Clearly a lot has changed now,” Simons said then. “I haven’t met or spoken to the new manager yet. I will speak to him and sit with PSV, then decide my future.
“I’m aware of PSG clause to bring me back – but as far as I’m aware they also don’t have a manager yet.”
Simons made 48 appearances for PSV in 2022/23, scoring 22 goals and assisting a further 12.
The youngster is also a Dutch international, playing five times for the Netherlands over the last few breaks, including his debut at the World Cup.
