Xavi Simons could be just the player Tottenham need to take them to the next level.
Tottenham are on the hunt for an attacking midfielder amid suggestions that James Maddison could leave Hotspur Way.
There have been question marks around Maddison after yet another injury left him sidelined for the backend of last season, which saw the Englishman miss the UEFA Europa League final.
Whether Maddison can take Tottenham to the next level has become a subject for debate, and Spurs have been linked with Simons this summer.
Tottenham urged to sign Eberechi Eze instead of Simons
As reported by Ben Jacobs via Give Me Sport (19 June), Tottenham have enquired to understand Simons’ position and the price for a potential deal for the RB Leipzig star.
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It is understood that a deal could be struck near the end of the summer transfer window, but Spurs could be taking a risk by signing Simons.
The midfielder struggled to replicate his impressive debut season for RB Leipzig last year and has looked less dangerous on the ball.
In his current form, adapting to the pace of the Premier League may be difficult for him. Tottenham have also been linked to Eberechi Eze and Lilywhite Rose owner John Wenham – speaking exclusively to Tottenham News – believes the Crystal Palace star would be the better option.
“Simons is a very exciting young player,” Wenham said.
“This is someone who’s been under a lot of pressure since he was around 12 or 13. I can remember him appearing in Nike adverts when he was coming through the academy at Barcelona. Therefore, he’s had lots of exposure from a young age.
“He’s also played in the Champions League. However, personally, I’d rather we sign Eze. Simons has a high ceiling, but we need someone who can hit the ground running. We’ve already got lots of talented young players with high ceilings; we need experience.”
Thomas Frank could face a huge dilemma
Whether to sign Simons or Eze may not be the most pressing concern for Thomas Frank. Indeed, the biggest issue is how he will line up after their signing.
If Maddison remains at Tottenham, Frank will have the 28-year-old, Dejan Kulusevski and either Simons or Eze as midfield options. While this would be important for squad depth, it will be difficult to satisfy each player.
This could result in the departure of either Kulusevski or Maddison over the next year. Therefore, Frank’s start at Tottenham may become trickier than first anticipated.