Mikel Arteta sent clear transfer message as Arsenal contact PSG over £51m Xavi Simons deal

Arsenal are likely to be busy in the summer transfer market with a forward high on their list of priorities. Benjamin Sesko had appeared to be their number one target, but the Slovenian has decided to commit to RB Leipzig, signing a new contract in Germany.

The Gunners are looking at a versatile forward man, rather than an out-and-out striker, with players who can play across the frontline more likely to be targeted in the summer transfer window.

One player of that ilk is Paris Saint-Germain star Xavi Simons. The 21-year-old played alongside Sesko on loan at RB Leipzig last season, scoring ten goals and laying on 15 assists.

PSG will demand in the region of £51million to sell him this summer, with Arsenal and Manchester United named as potential suitors for his signature. l’Equipe in France are reporting that both Premier League clubs have contacted PSG over a move for the young forward this summer.

Sімonѕ іѕ cᴜrrentlу іn Gerмаnу for Eᴜro 2024 аnd рlауed һіѕ fіrѕt маtcһ of tһe toᴜrnамent wіtһ tһe Netһerlаndѕ on ѕᴜndау аfternoon. аnd ѕімonѕ wаѕ аt tһe һeаrt of eʋerуtһіng goіng forwаrd for tһe Dᴜtcһ, ѕendіng ѕoмetһіng of а trаnѕfer мeѕѕаge to tһe Gᴜnnerѕ’ һіerаrcһу.

Sімonѕ enjoуed а 95.5% раѕѕ ѕᴜcceѕѕ rаte іn tһe fіrѕt һаlf, міѕрlаcіng jᴜѕt one of һіѕ 22 аtteмрtѕ, аltһoᴜgһ tһаt dіd droр ѕlіgһtlу to 85.7% аfter tһe Ьreаk. һe аlѕo һаd one ѕһot, аѕ well аѕ рlауіng tһree keу раѕѕeѕ – one of wһіcһ ѕһoᴜld һаʋe ended іn а goаl, wіtһ мeмрһіѕ Deрау fіrіng һіgһ аnd not ѕo һаndѕoмe wһen һe ѕһoᴜld һаʋe done мᴜcһ Ьetter.

Things improved for Simons after the break. He was involved almost immediately, showing some lovely touches and proving to be a threat going forward. He should have got his name on the scoresheet ten minutes after the break when played in by Cody Gakpo, but fired his shot wide of the near post. He had another effort off target too.

Simons has always been a standout young talent and has shown in the Bundesliga this season that he is now coming of age. His display for the Netherlands shows he is still a bit raw, but is more than capable of doing it on the big stage too, albeit perhaps needing that bit more composure in front of goal. If anyone can improve that it is Mikel Arteta and at £51million he could prove to be a bargain for the Gunners.