View: Tottenham linked with Xavi Simons in what would be a sensational swoop
Tottenham have thrown their hat in the ring for the signature of Xavi Simons, according to Fabrizio Romano.
Simons is one of the most talented young players in Europe. The 20-year-old spent the season in the Dutch League with PSV last term, scoring 19 goals and providing eight assists in 34 league appearances.
Simons joined PSV on a free transfer from PSG last summer and the French giants have a buy-back clause for the star that is reportedly just over £5million.
Italian journalist Romano tweeted (21 June), “It (the buy-back clause) can only be activated in July, from 1st to 31st.
“The final decision is only up to the player. He’s waiting to hear from PSG. Manchester United, Arsenal, Brighton, Spurs, Borussia Dortmund and RB Leipzig asked to be informed.”
With Tottenham reportedly in the race, that will have caused some Spurs fans to sit up and take notice, and if they were somehow able to pull off this audacious swoop, it could be one of the best transfers Daniel Levy has made during his time at the club.
With a reported price as low as £5million, this deal could be a Dele Alli 2.0.
As per FBREF, Simons boasted sensational numbers last season in the Eredivisie. His 0.61 goals per game put him in the top four per cent compared to attacking midfielders and wingers in the division.
He also had a pass completion rate of 80.3 per cent per 90 minutes, which placed him in the top seven per cent in regard to this particular statistic.
He was in the top two per cent of his positional peers in the division for his pass completion rate over a long distance, 75 per cent per 90 and his 1.06 goal-creating actions per 90 also landed him in the top two per cent.
He was a constant threat with 3.56 carries into the final third per 90 positioning him in the top nine per cent and he would often cause a nuisance when he arrived in the penalty area, winning 0.13 penalties per 90, which put him in the top three per cent.
This could turn out to be the club’s biggest signing of the summer if they were able to beat out the competition and lure the Dutch international to North London. The player’s potential is sky high and Spurs could benefit from his rise.
In other Tottenham news, an academy coach has left the club to take up a first-team coaching role.