Arsenal look set to be denied the opportunity to sign Dutch prospect Xavi Simons thanks to Kylian Mbappe. The playmaker has been in sensational form since joining RB Leipzig on loan over the summer, and he won’t be short of interest this summer.
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Arsenal are among those who have been linked with a move for Simons previously. The Gunners are expected to splash the cash at the end of the season, with reinforcements being eyed at both ends of the pitch.
Ousmane Diomande and Jorrel Hato are among the young centre-backs being monitored, whilst Brentford star Ivan Toney and Sporting’s Viktor Gyokeres are among the marquee strikers being considered to lead the line for Mikel Arteta’s side in the long term.
Acquiring the services of another winger could also become a priority at the Emirates Stadium, with both Reiss Nelson and Emile Smith Rowe attracting interest from around Europe after falling down the pecking order in north London.
Bukayo Saka has continued to be Arsenal’s first-choice right winger this season, though the lack of cover beyond the England international remains a key issue that Arsenal are keen to address.
Simons is among those who have been cited as potential candidates to fill the role and the versatility of the 20-year-old means that he could fit the bill for what Arteta demands from his forwards.
However, the ex-PSV star’s future may now lie at Paris Saint-Germain because of how flexible he can be in the final third – despite being sent out on loan by the club last summer.
With Mbappe set to become a free agent at the end of the season, and potentially join Real Madrid, Luis Enrique looks set to be short of depth down the left and therefore could lean on the versatility of Simons to shift into that role.
The playmaker can play anywhere across the frontline and also as a No. 10, meaning that there would be very little concern over whether he is capable of picking up the mantle and being PSG’s long-term left winger.
Him transitioning to that position would therefore allow his side to target a marquee striker instead this summer.
If Mbappe were to have committed his future to Les Parisiens rather than opting to cut ties with the club then Arsenal could have been offered some hope that they could secure the signature of Simons.
But with the prospect of regular playing time at the Ligue 1 outfit now on offer, the Gunners may need to look for cover for Saka elsewhere.
