Tottenham will have to pay a hefty sum to ensure Xavi Simons arrives in North London this summer.
Tottenham halted their interest in Simons earlier in the window to pursue alternative targets.
But with Morgan Gibbs-White extending at Nottingham Forest and Eberechi Eze snubbing Spurs for Arsenal, the Lilywhites are scrambling for an alternative.
Tottenham’s top choice is Morgan Rogers, but Aston Villa are determined to keep him. This leaves Spurs with little choice but to reignite their interest in the RB Leipzig star, but he could come at a heavy price.
Xavi Simons could cost Tottenham £100million
Daniel Levy is meticulous when it comes to his finances at Tottenham and is usually unwilling to compromise.
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But the demands of the transfer window are changing. Players who would have cost £20million five years ago are now priced at £50m. With the numbers being thrown around as of late, it seems the chairman is willing to change with the times.
As reported by Matt Law via X on Wednesday, 27 August, Chelsea has been his preference. But with that move stalling, the doors could open for Tottenham to hijack Simons from Chelsea.
However, the deal would be expensive not only in a £60m fee but also in wages. Nevertheless, Leipzig are open to selling the midfielder.
According to Capology on 27 August, Simons earns a £5.8m base yearly salary at the moment. On a five-year contract, including his potential fee, the former PSG star could cost the Lilywhites £89m.
But if bonuses are added in the deal, which currently stands at £3.4m, he could cost Spurs over £100m over five years.
With this in mind, a £55m fee for Mohammed Kudus from West Ham seems like a bargain.
Where would Xavi Simons rank among Tottenham’s highest earners?
If a figure similar to his current wages at Leipzig is agreed, Simons could rank among Spurs’ top earners.
Cristian Romero currently sits in first place on £10.1m per year, while James Maddison is at £8.8m. New signing Joao Palhinha is on £7m per year, and Rodrigo Bentancur is on just £3.9m.
This would place Simons just above Maddison if bonuses are included. As a new, unproven recruit, this is a sum which could spark outrage among Tottenham fans.
But with less than a week until the window closes, his price may be a barrier too high to overcome.