Fabrizio Romano shares update on PSG starlet Xavi Simons amid Rangers speculation
Fabrizio Romano has issued a Thursday morning update on the future of PSG midfielder Xavi Simons, who has been heavily linked with a move to Rangers.
Simons, 18, joined the French giants from Barcelona’s youth academy in July 2019 and has since made two appearances for their first team.
However, with a host of international stars like Marco Veratti, Georginio Wijnaldum and Leandro Paredes ahead of him in the central midfield pecking order, the Dutchman is reportedly being pursued by a number of European clubs.
The teenager’s PSG contract expires in June 2022, and Spanish news outlet AS claimed earlier this month (2 December) that Rangers were in talks with super-agent Mino Raiola and were readying a bid to sign him.
Further links have emerged since and Italian journalist Romano, writing via his personal Twitter profile on Thursday morning (16 December), claims Simons is ready to depart on a free transfer in 2022 if he is not granted a first-team berth.
“Paris Saint-Germain offered Xavi Simons a new deal months ago,” Romano wrote. “They want him to stay as he’s considered a ‘huge talent’ but his agent still wants to make sure he’ll be part of first-team plans. If not, he’ll leave as free agent in June.
“Many clubs already asked for Xavi.”
Chances?
Barcelona to PSG to Rangers may not be the most obvious route to success for one of the most ambitious teenagers in European football, but it’s not something that should be entirely ruled out.
Simons has been long-heralded as a potential superstar, attracting rave reviews and seeing his social media profile soar.
Indeed, his move from Barcelona to PSG courted great controversy.
Perhaps he will feel that a move to Scotland is a step-down and will not suit his style of play.
But, with Giovanni van Bronckhorst as Rangers boss, Simons would be playing under one of most iconic names in recent Dutch history, and his style of football could suit his countryman.
Plus, Rangers could be straight into the Champions League group stage next season, offering Simons the chance to ply his talents on the biggest stage.
That, alongside more game time, could tempt Simons into a move to Ibrox.
In other Rangers news, Ally McCoist made a defiant Gers claim on Tuesday after a Celtic question was posed to him live on-air.