Bayern Munich honorary president Uli Hoeneß has revealed they rejected the chance to sign Tottenham star Xavi Simons.
Simons scores screamer after De Zerbi vote of confidence
Roberto De Zerbi challenged Simons to be a difference-maker in the club’s bid to avoid relegation, and the Dutch international responded with a screamer in the draw with Brighton on Saturday.
It has been a difficult maiden campaign for Xavi after he struggled to gain the trust of Thomas Frank before he was quickly discarded by Igor Tudor during a disastrous seven-match spell, but the 22-year-old is one of the only creative players fit and available to De Zerbi.
A tally of five goals and six assists across 40 appearances is still below par, but Xavi produced a man-of-the-match display against Atletico Madrid and stunned fans with an incredible finish against the Seagulls.
De Zerbi said: “Xavi has a big personality on the pitch and I want him to play with his personality.
“I don’t want to change nothing with my players, especially in this part. Character, personality and I think he can be important for us in this moment. I don’t know if for 30 minutes or 20 minutes, but I have this opinion about him.”
Pushed on what Xavi needs to do to become a top Premier League player, De Zerbi explained: “He has to score, he has to make assists and to run without the ball. Stop. It’s enough.
“I am talking with him a lot of times. I was a player and I played in that position. I know before he speaks with me, that he can feel what he needs, like confidence.
“I know he can make some mistakes but right now, we need the quality from him.”
Bayern Munich rejected Xavi deal for more pie
Hoeneß told a podcast (via Sport Witness) in Germany this week that Bayern manager Vincent Kompany was desperate to sign Simons last summer before Tottenham did.
The Belgian pleaded with the club's ownership, saying 'we need Xavi' repeatedly, but was quickly dismissed according to Hoeneß.
“I had ordered an apple pie, or rather, it was already on the table, and I said, ‘Vince, you can have another piece of apple pie, but you’re not getting Xavi."
The Bayern board member says the Belgian was told to instead focus on utilising the young players already at the club, and he has certainly done that, with the likes of Lennart Karl, Michael Olise and Jamal Musiala leading the Bavarians into the last four of the Champions League.
Spurs eventually splashed out £52m on the playmaker, and given so far he's failed to shine under two different managers, Bayern's quick dismissal certainly suggests the Lilywhites board jumped the gun and overpaid.
For Simons, he may be left wondering what might have been if Hoeneß hadn't been quite so fond of the apple pie, but now has a chance to follow up on Saturday's magic and prove his doubters wrong.