Xavi Simons appears determined to leave "RB Leipzig" despite recently extending his contract until June 2027. The 22-year-old Dutch international feels he can no longer progress at the German club and wants to compete regularly in the Champions League.
"I need to play at the highest level consistently," a source close to Simons reportedly said about the player's motivations.
The former "Barcelona" academy product and ex-"PSG" midfielder has several suitors interested in his services. Manchester City has him on their radar, but Simons isn't their top priority. According to reports from L'Equipe, the Dutch talent is actually Pep Guardiola's Plan B.
Interestingly, City's primary target is Rayan Cherki, the 21-year-old French playmaker from "Olympique Lyon". Negotiations for Cherki have advanced significantly in recent hours, with both parties nearing a contractual agreement. The deal isn't finalized yet, though.
"Manchester City" is expected to submit an official offer to the Ligue 1 club for Cherki very soon. This development pushes Simons further down the Citizens' wishlist despite his impressive profile.
Will Simons end up at the Etihad if the Cherki deal falls through? Or might another Champions League contender swoop in for the talented Dutchman? The summer transfer window continues to heat up.
