RB Leipzig can plan another season with Xavi Simons. The Dutch international has once again been loaned to the Saxons by Paris Saint-Germain, as the Bundesliga club announced. A purchase option is again not planned. Simons caused a stir in the Bundesliga last season with his striking dribbles. In 43 games for RB, he scored ten goals and provided 15 assists.
"Xavi and RB Leipzig - it was a perfect match right from the start. He quickly developed into a key player and one of the best players in the Bundesliga. Xavi has shown in many games and not least at Euro 2024 that he is a difference-maker," said RB's new managing director of sport, Marcel Schäfer.
A poker game had broken out over the 21-year-old in recent weeks. RB wanted to loan him out again, but FC Bayern Munich also wanted to secure the services of the difference-maker. Most recently, Manchester United also expressed an interest. However, Simons once again opted for the Saxons. Supervisory board chairman Oliver Mintzlaff, who maintains close contacts with PSG, had campaigned for the Dutchman to stay.
Guaranteed regular place at RB a reason
Simons had a contractually stipulated right to have a say in where he was loaned out to. The guarantee of a regular place with coach Marco Rose and the freedom he was given in the RB system were a factor.
"Everything I hoped for from my move to Leipzig has come true. I found a great team right from the start, felt that everyone had complete trust in me and I was able to develop as a player and as a person - RB Leipzig simply offers the perfect environment for that. On top of that, I appreciate the way the club has been looking after me very clearly but also discreetly for months and has shown me a clear plan for the coming season," said Simons.
Simons should continue to develop
Simons, who also made a positive impression for Oranje at the European Championships, is still tied to PSG until 2027. A sale was out of the question for the French club, as Simons' predecessor club PSV Eindhoven would have received a significant share of the proceeds by the end of the year. He is now set to take a further step in his development in Leipzig.
"He obviously has even more potential to reach the next level. We are very happy that he has identified RB Leipzig as the best option for this further development and that he believes in our ambitious goals - despite intensive courtship from other top clubs at home and abroad," said Schäfer.
Copyright 2024, dpa (www.dpa.de). All rights reserved
