Chelsea stall in Xavi Simons talks as Tottenham close in on RB Leipzig star
Chelsea’s pursuit of Dutch midfielder Xavi Simons has hit a major roadblock, with Tottenham Hotspur now in advanced negotiations to sign the RB Leipzig star for €70 million.
The Blues, who have already spent more than €280 million on new signings for the 2025/26 season, had reached an agreement on Simons’ salary and contract terms. However, negotiations with Leipzig over the transfer fee stalled, opening the door for Spurs to swoop in.
Tottenham outpaces Chelsea in Leipzig talks
According to journalist Ben Jacobs (GiveMeSport), Tottenham have made “positive progress” in negotiations with both Leipzig and the player’s entourage. Spurs are close to finalizing personal terms with Simons and are ready to pay Leipzig’s asking price of €70 million (R$442m) a figure Chelsea have so far hesitated to meet.
Club sources indicate that Leipzig are leaning toward Spurs’ offer, given the financial guarantees on the table. Talks between the two clubs are said to be in their final stages.
Chelsea still Simons’ priority
Despite Tottenham’s advances, Simons, 22, continues to prioritize Chelsea. The midfielder is believed to be waiting to see if the Blues will improve their proposal before making a final decision.
For Simons, the Premier League is seen as a crucial next step in his career. He wants regular top-flight football ahead of the 2026 World Cup, where he expects to play a central role for the Netherlands.
Chelsea’s busy transfer window
The uncertainty over Simons comes just hours after Chelsea struck a deal to sign Alejandro Garnacho from Manchester United. The European champions have already broken transfer records this summer, but the potential loss of Simons to a direct rival could be seen as a major setback.
