Paris Saint-Germain welcomed back one of the Netherlands’ emerging talents during the summer and, in doing so, it is believed Manchester United missed out on the opportunity to sign Xavi Simons.
The 20-year-old enjoyed a terrific 2022/23 season with PSV Eindhoven, which led to the Ligue 1 champions acting fast to secure the player.
PSV would have offered Simons regular first team football, but PSG knew they had a player on their hands.
Transfer guru Fabrizio Romano claims United were in pole position to sign Simons this summer. Nonetheless, the Dutchman said yes to PSG and they quickly activated the buy-back clause.
(🌕) Manchester United were in pole position to snatch Xavi Simons this summer, but the Dutchman said yes to PSG's project and Paris activated the buy-back clause. @FabrizioRomano 🇳🇱✨ pic.twitter.com/57dgELHWS4
— PSGhub (@PSGhub) September 18, 2023
United’s interest hardly comes as a surprise because Erik ten Hag already has a very good idea of the Dutch market, with help from SEG and the agency’s growing influence at Old Trafford.
PSG then decided to send Simons out on loan to Bundesliga outfit RB Leipzig in hope of continuing his development and you’d have to say it is going to plan for them.
Simons has started the Bundesliga season strongly, too, with seven goal contributions (three goals, four assists) to his name. It is a league that suits him and his stoke will only rise only the coming year if he can stay fit.
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