PSV starlet Xavi Simons is the latest young talent to be linked with a summer transfer to Arsenal.
As per the Mirror, the Gunners will be offered the chance to sign the Dutch international at the end of the current campaign. The player's new agent Darren Dein is the son of David Dein, who was vice-chairman of the north London outfit for 24 years. That relationship may give them an advantage in any potential deal for the talented youngster.
But who is Simons and what exactly would he bring to the Emirates Stadium if he were to sign? football.london takes a closer look.
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Who is Xavi Simons?
Aged just 20, Simons is a talented attacking midfielder born in Amsterdam in the Netherlands.
Simons plied his trade with Barcelona during his formative years, joining the Catalan club at the age of seven. He then moved to Ligue 1 giants Paris Saint-Germain back in 2019, featuring 11 times for the French side before rejecting a new contract at the Parc des Princes and signing for PSV last summer.
Since then, he has established himself as one of the brightest talents in the Eredivisie, with a host of Europe's elite now said to be interested in a potential summer transfer.
Why do Arsenal want him?
Arsenal boss Mikel Arteta and Sporting Director Edu have helped the club improve dramatically over the last few years, completely overhauling an ageless squad, recruiting young talented players with sky-high potential. Simons certainly fits these criteria.
The 20-year-old has an abundance of attacking talent and his end product backs this up too, netting 16 goals and providing a further eight assists in 32 Eredivisie appearances this term. When the Gunners faced PSV in the Europa League earlier this season, Simons impressed.
He caused Arteta's defence all kinds of problems, seeing a breathtaking solo goal ruled out for offside. His quick feet, deft touch and playmaking ability were all on display that evening, a promising sign that his form in the Netherlands could translate to the more challenging environment of the Premier League.
Simons is a joy to watch when the ball is at his feet, more than capable of drifting past players with his elite dribbling and one-versus-one ability. The former PSG playmaker easily finds pockets of space all over the pitch, regularly drifting out to the half-spaces, where he can deliver a pinpoint cross or fire a long-range shot away.
His combination play is also one of his best assets, constantly looking for quick one-twos with his teammates as he scans to find better passing angles. He is also a huge threat in transition, possessing the ability to accelerate past encroaching defenders with ease.
Where would he fit in?
Simons has predominantly been deployed as an attacking midfielder throughout his young professional career but his versatility could make him a desirable option for Arsenal. As per Transfermarkt, the Dutchman has operated in the no.10 role on 17 occasions this season, 17 times as a left-winger, six times on the right flank and even racked up five appearances as a centre-forward as well.
This makes him a viable candidate to operate on either side of Arteta's attack or midfield. Captain Martin Odegaard has shouldered the majority of the creative burden from the Gunners midfield this term, with summer signing Fabio Vieira struggling to impose himself on proceedings when given a chance.
Emile Smith Rowe's future in north London remains uncertain and potentially Simons makes sense as a viable option if the Hale End academy graduate does end up leaving the club this summer. Like Smith Rowe, the former La Masia starlet loves to run at opposition defenders, regularly advancing his team up the pitch due to his elite ball-carrying ability.
Simons averages 4.8 progressive carries per 90 minutes this season, as per fbref, making him an extremely useful tool for any team looking for a young talent that is efficient at beating the press and advancing his team into the final third.
What has been said?
Former Tottenham Hotspur playmaker Rafael Van der Vaart has made it no secret of his admiration for Simons. When watching a clip of the youngster, he said, via Football Oranje: “Very few players can do this: in such a small space: accept, turn and shoot the ball on the bar.
“I look at the potential. How good can someone become in the future? With Xavi Simons, everything that makes me very happy.”
When asked if Simons could be world-class, Van der Vaart replied by saying, “Absolutely. There are always smarties walking around who say: yes, nice against RKC, but he didn’t show it against Sevilla.
"Believe me, in a few years we will all say: 'how nice that we can use this boy for the Dutch national team'.” Manchester United legend Ruud van Nistelrooy, who is Simons' current manager at PSV, has also heaped praise on the 20-year-old.
Speaking previously to Voetbal International, van Nistelrooy said: ““His mentality, his mindset, it’s unprecedented. It’s a boy of only 19 years old, but Xavi is already much further advanced than his age.
“But he really is a pure professional, a boy who is working towards a goal, who wants to get the most out of his qualities.”
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