Tottenham are preparing a move that would finally see them complete a hijack of their own in the final days of the transfer window.
Spurs are holding talks over a bid to sign RB Leipzig man Xavi Simons, who has looked set to sign for Chelsea this summer.
Arsenal signed Eberechi Eze after Spurs had agreed a deal with Crystal Palace, with Daniel Levy left humiliated at his failure to complete the deal in the weeks before.
And that wasn’t to be the end of the chairman’s plight in the market, with a similar story taking place just days later.
Spurs launched a £52million bid for Piero Hincapie before Arsenal intervened again, with the defender now looking set to move to the red side of North London.
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Ian Wright lauds ‘unbelievable’ Xavi Simons
Chelsea had looked set to sign Simons, but their focus on Alejandro Garnacho has left the door open for Spurs.
The midfielder would provide the perfect player for Thomas Frank, who needs a creative midfielder following injuries to Dejan Kulusevski and James Maddison.
Simons, 22, already boasts a hugely impressive resume, bagging huge numbers of goals and assists in his time at RB Leipzig and PSV.
Xavi Simons’ recent league returns:
The Netherlands international was missing for much of last season, but still managed to register 10 goals and seven assists in the Bundesliga.
Speaking on his podcast, Wrighty’s House, last year, Arsenal legend Ian Wright waxed lyrical about Simons after his performance against Real Madrid in the Champions League.
“Can I say watching Xavi Simons against Real Madrid, Leipzig versus Real Madrid, was kind of like a coming out parade in respects of a performance from someone,” the former striker said.
“He was brilliant. He was brilliant to watch. Unbelievable.
“And, we are talking about someone who is on loan from PSG to Leipzig, and he is getting the chance to play against arguably one of the greatest teams in the world, Real Madrid, and playing like that.”
Xavi Simons demonstrated his ability vs Real Madrid
Wright is right to praise Simon’s performance against Real Madrid, as the 22-year-old was excellent.
Whilst RB Leipzig were knocked out on aggregate on the night, the Spanish giants were held to a 1-1 draw and, truthfully, deserved to lose both the game and the tie.
Simons constantly drove RB Leipzig forward, almost grabbing a goal of his own on what was a night in which he proved he can do it on the biggest stage.
Spurs need exactly that, and should keep the midfielder’s huge potential in mind when they prepare their opening bid.