Tottenham are on the verge of completing the signing of RB Leipzig attacker Xavi Simons in a deal worth €60m (£51.8m). The Netherlands international has already undergone a medical in London, with final contractual details expected to be concluded within the next 24 hours.
The 22-year-old had attracted interest from several European clubs, with Chelsea among those who explored a move earlier this summer. The Blues ultimately shifted focus to Alejandro Garnacho, leaving Spurs well-placed to secure Simons’ signature. If finalised, he would join Joao Palhinha and Mohammed Kudus as the club’s headline arrivals under head coach Thomas Frank.
Tottenham had previously missed out on key targets, including Morgan Gibbs-White and Eberechi Eze—the latter opting for Arsenal—but Simons’ arrival represents both a statement of intent and a tactical opportunity.
Simons’ versatility is among his greatest strengths. At Leipzig, he spent 75% of his minutes on the left wing, cutting inside on his stronger right foot. He can also operate centrally as an advanced playmaker or on the right when needed.
Frank has already shown tactical flexibility early in his Spurs tenure, alternating between a 5-3-2—used against Paris Saint-Germain in the Super Cup—and his more familiar 4-3-3 in the Premier League. The latter system would likely accommodate Simons most effectively, positioning him on the left of a front three.
However, his Bundesliga experience under Marco Rose often involved deeper or narrower roles within a 4-2-2-2 box midfield, suggesting adaptation time may be required.
Former Premier League coach Edu Rubio praised Simons’ all-round game:
Simons’ statistical profile suggests he could become Tottenham’s primary creator. Despite missing 15 matches last season due to an ankle injury, he recorded 11 goals and 8 assists in all competitions.
More tellingly, his chance creation metrics outstripped two of Spurs’ failed targets. In the Bundesliga, he averaged:
Those numbers indicate a player capable of unlocking compact defences—an area Spurs struggled with at times last season.
Simons’ journey has been unconventional for a player so long hyped as one of Europe’s brightest talents.
Off the pitch, Simons has long attracted attention. Named after Barcelona legend Xavi, he was already a global profile by his mid-teens, boasting a Nike sponsorship and a million Instagram followers at 14. But his career momentum was built on seeking regular football—an ambition that has now led him to the Premier League.
Internationally, Simons has won 28 caps for the Netherlands, making his World Cup debut in 2022 and becoming the nation’s youngest ever player in the knockout stages.
If confirmed, Tottenham’s acquisition of Simons would represent both a coup and a calculated gamble. His creativity, pressing intensity, and positional versatility make him a strong fit for Frank’s evolving system, while his injury record and adaptation to English football remain key watchpoints.
For Spurs, missing out on Gibbs-White and Eze raised concerns about a lack of a natural creator. In Simons, they may have found a player capable of filling that role—while also offering the flexibility to evolve Frank’s attacking structures.
