RB Leipzig midfielder Xavi Simons has flown to London amid links to Chelsea and Tottenham Hotspur.
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Tottenham Hotspur are hoping to hijack Chelsea transfer plans to hatch a move for highly rated RB Leipzig midfielder Xavi Simons in a dramatic end to the summer window.
The Thomas Frank era has got off to a convincing start in north London with back-to-back Premier League wins against Burnley and Manchester City. Spurs sit second in the table at this early stage.
Frank has achieved those results on the back of what has been a fairly underwhelming transfer window so far. Spurs have splurged on West Ham winger Mohammed Kudus, who has settled well, along with permanent moves for loan stars Mathys Tel and Kevin Danso. Bayern Munich man Joao Palhinha has also arrived on loan and found an immediate impact, winning Player of the Match at the Etihad Stadium.
Tottenham Hotspur in pursuit of attacking midfielder
However, there have also been transfer disappointments. Tottenham Hotspur failed in their high profile move for Nottingham Forest star Morgan Gibbs-White and were beaten to the signing of Crystal Palace star Eberechi Eze by bitter rivals Arsenal.
The need for another attacking midfielder was made even more important by an injury picked up by James Maddison in August. The England international picked up the ACL blow during pre-season and is set for a long period on the sidelines.
Several candidates have been linked with a move to Tottenham Hotspur but it appears that the club may have zoned in on a number on target, who is also wanted by Chelsea. That is Xavi Simons.
Spurs plot Chelsea £60m transfer hijack
The Standard reports that Simons had already agreed personal terms with Chelsea for a £60 million move. However, the fact that the Blues remain interested in Manchester United talent Alejandro Garnacho and Barcelona midfielder Fermin Lopez, has left the door slightly ajar for Spurs to swoop in.
The Netherlands international is said to want a move from the Bundesliga to the Premier League, having already played at Paris Saint-Germain and PSV Eindhoven in his career. Simons was absent from training on Thursday to fly to London and push through a move, but it is now believed that his first stop will be talks with Tottenham Hotspur.
Sky Sports reporter Florian Plettenberg said: “BREAKING | Tottenham are now preparing to hijack the imminent deal for #Xavi Simons to Chelsea. Xavi has been excused from team duties due to contract talks and is no longer in Leipzig, as RB confirm. #CFC#COYS Xavi and Chelsea still have a full agreement in place – and Chelsea remain very much in the race, now alongside Tottenham. Leipzig are waiting for official offers.”
In other news, Tottenham vs AFC Bournemouth early injury news as 8 ruled out and 3 doubts.