Chelsea transfer news: Blues hold 'serious interest' in RB Leipzig star Xavi Simons, potential fee suggested

Chelsea are reportedly preparing to press ahead with their efforts to sign RB Leipzig playmaker Xavi Simons.

The Blues have recently won the Club World Cup with recent signing Joao Pedro having scored in both the semi-final and final.

With Estevao Willian and Jamie Gittens also linking up with Enzo Maresca's first-team squad, there is an argument that Chelsea do not require any more creative players.

However, as well as the sale of Noni Madueke, there are expected to be further departures that ensure that club officials continue to assess the market.

According to Sky Sport Deutschland journalist Florian Plettenberg, who was commenting on X, Chelsea are ready to try to negotiate a deal for Simons over the coming days.

Chelsea to increase Simons interest

Plettenberg reports that Chelsea hold a "serious interest" in acquire the services of the Netherlands international.

Talks between club and the player's representatives are said to have already started, the aim being to determine whether Simons would jump at the chance of signing for Chelsea.

Arsenal are allegedly 'monitoring the situation' at a time when Bayern Munich are also being kept up-to-date with any developments.

As per transfer expert Fabrizio Romano, RB Leipzig will be prepared to consider offers below €70m (£60.6m), Chelsea likely to try to bring that fee lower.

With Leipzig having failed to qualify for Europe for 2025-26, Simons is eager to secure a transfer away when he has two years left on his contract.

Do Chelsea need Simons?

There are arguably 11 options currently in Maresca's squad that are competing for four places in the final third ahead of 2025-26.

On that basis, Chelsea do not need to sign Simons, yet there is seemingly the perception that they can ill-afford to miss out on any opportunity to sign him.

Ten goals and seven assists came from 25 Bundesliga starts last season, while he has chipped in with 18 goals and 20 assists in 57 outings in Germany's top flight in total.

His ability to play across the forward line and as a number 10 also works in his favour, and could lead to Chelsea facilitating an exit to accommodate his arrival.

With Pedro able to play down the middle, one of Nicolas Jackson or Marc Guiu could be sold or loaned out to free up a space for Simons.

Written by
Darren Plant