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Paris Saint-Germain 'plan to integrate Xavi Simons into first team next season'

By Darren Plant, Senior Reporter | 20 February 2024

PSG 'plan to integrate Simons into first team next season'

Paris Saint-Germain reportedly have plans to integrate Xavi Simons - currently on loan at RB Leipzig - into the first-team squad next season.

Paris Saint-Germain reportedly intend to keep Xavi Simons in their first-team squad next season.

During the summer transfer window, PSG exercised the right to activate a buy-back clause for Simons, who had previously moved to PSV Eindhoven in search of first-team football.

Simons was a revelation during his first campaign in the Netherlands, contributing 22 goals and 12 assists from his 48 matches in all competitions.

When PSG had acquired his services again, the expectation had initially been that he would be kept in Luis Enrique's squad given his status as one of the best prospects in world football.

Instead, the Dutchman was allowed to link up with RB Leipzig, again on a season-long loan to further enhance his development on the European stage.

RB Leipzig's Lois Openda celebrates scoring their first goal with Xavi Simons on November 28, 2023 © Reuters

Like in his homeland, the 20-year-old has been superb for Leipzig, chipping in with eight goals and nine assists from 31 outings to strengthen his reputation.

According to Fichajes, there had been hope on Leipzig's side that they may have been able to keep Simons for a longer period than just one season.

However, PSG will insist on Simons remaining at Parc des Princes for the 2024-25 in a bid to cement himself as a senior option going forward.

As it stands, Simons has 11 PSG outings to his name, all of which came prior to his move to PSV, with 129 minutes in Ligue 1 spread over seven appearances.

Xavi Simons in action for Paris Saint-Germain in January 2022 © Reuters

On this occasion, it is anticipated that the Netherlands international will be used on a regular basis by Luis Enrique on the back of the expected departure of Kylian Mbappe.

Although PSG are in the market for high-profile additions courtesy of the money that they will save on Mbappe, Simons is a ready-made alternative in the final third.

PSG also intend to adopt a strategy where more younger players are present in the first team, Simons fitting that bill and also having a contract until 2027.

Simons does not count as a homegrown talent, however, with a first move to PSG not occurring until 2019 having previously spent nine years in the Barcelona academy ranks.