PSG Should Consider Making Xavi Simons, Currently on Loan at RB Leipzig, the Leading Figure in Their Future After Kylian Mbappe
As the summer transfer window approaches, Paris Saint-Germain (PSG) is bracing itself for the potential departure of star player Kylian Mbappe to Real Madrid. The prolonged saga seems to be nearing its conclusion, leaving PSG to face the reality of losing their all-time top goalscorer. While Mbappe may be irreplaceable, the French club has been proactive in reshaping its squad, with football advisor Luis Campos orchestrating the arrival of 12 new players last season.
One standout addition is 20-year-old RB Leipzig playmaker Xavi Simons, who is currently on loan in Germany but is expected to make a permanent return to Paris this summer. Simons, born in Amsterdam, rose to prominence in Barcelona's youth academy alongside current Golden Boy winner Gavi. Despite the early hype, Simons chose to leave Barcelona for PSG in 2019 under the guidance of super-agent Mino Raiola.
Initially finding limited playing time at PSG, Simons spent his first season in the academy system, providing him with valuable development away from the spotlight. Despite high expectations and training with the senior squad, Simons struggled to secure a regular spot and ultimately spent the 2021-22 season on the bench, playing just over 300 minutes without scoring.
A loan move to PSV Eindhoven proved transformative for Simons. He became a key player, contributing 22 goals and 12 assists, showcasing the skills that had once made him a highly touted talent. His impressive form attracted interest from Premier League and Bundesliga clubs, but a clause in his contract allowed him to return to PSG for a reasonable fee.
Simons himself expressed contentment with staying at PSV, but the affordable buy-back clause made PSG's decision to bring him back a straightforward one. The €6 million fee for one of the brightest talents in the football world reflects PSG's commitment to building a competitive team for the post-Mbappe era.
As PSG faces the inevitable departure of Mbappe, Simons could emerge as the face of the team's renewed efforts to stay competitive on the European stage. The young playmaker's journey from Barcelona to PSG, with a transformative loan spell in between, highlights the uncertainties and potential in a football career. Now, as he returns to Paris, Simons carries the weight of expectation and the hope of becoming a pivotal figure in PSG's future.