According to Spanish publication Sport, Arsenal have the funds to sign Simons this summer. PSG harbour no intention of reintegrating the Netherlands international once he returns from a loan spell with RB Leipzig at the end of the season, while the player does not want to return.
It is claimed that the Ligue 1 champions want a deal in the region of £51million (€60m), a reasonable fee for a player considered among the brightest attacking midfielders in world football. Simons’s desire is reportedly to join Barca on loan, but PSG want a permanent sale.
Arsenal are among the contenders to sign Simons but a potential purchase may limit the impact of the likes of Martin Odegaard, Leandro Trossard and Kai Havertz. All three players will be battling for game time in the same positions in which Simons plays.
The 21-year-old is at his best either as an attacking midfielder or wide on the left. It is unclear where he will fit into Arsenal’s best team, despite his strong contributions for Leipzig this season.
Simons has scored seven goals and provided 13 assists in 31 Bundesliga appearances. If Arsenal do complete a deal for the former Barcelona prospect, then he would be one for the future under Arteta.
Former Netherlands international Rafael van der Vaart believes Simons can become one of the world’s best players. “When I look at his potential, I see that he can become the best soccer player in the world,” he said.
“Believe me: In a few years we’ll all be saying: ‘It’s good to be able to have this kid in our national team.”
Meanwhile, Arsenal are set for a busy summer transfer window as they prepare for what they will hope is another Premier League title battle with Manchester City. Reports suggest that Arteta is keen to strengthen his attack ahead of 2024-25.
According to the Daily Telegraph, Arsenal are in ‘pole position’ to sign Simons’s Leipzig team-mate Benjamin Sesko. The six-foot-five-inch forward has scored in each of his last six Bundesliga games, reportedly triggering a clause in his contract that sees his release clause increase to £64m.
In order to raise funds for a hectic window, Arsenal are reportedly prepared to listen to offers for Aaron Ramsdale, Eddie Nketiah, Emile Smith Rowe, Kieran Tierney, Nuno Tavares, Albert Sambi Lokonga and Reiss Nelson.
