Xavi Simmons insists on joining Chelsea, transfer fee becomes the last obstacle

According to ESPN exclusive disclosure, Leipzig Red Bull attacker Xavi Simmons has made a clear statement to the club that even in the face of fierce competition between Manchester City and Bayern, the only one he wants to join is Chelsea. The Dutch international contributed a pass in a 4-2 victory over Sandhausen on Saturday’s German Cup, but his agent team is pushing the transfer with all their might. Since Leipzig missed the European competition in the new season, Simmons believes that 'it's time to meet the challenge of higher platforms' - behind this decision is smart career planning: Chelsea can provide stable playing time (78 minutes per game last season) and core positioning of the left winger, while Manchester City is subject to the position competition brought by Savio's possible joining Tottenham. It is worth noting that Leipzig sports director Max Ebert said meaningfully at a press conference: 'The ambitions of some players need to be respected'.

Transfer game is turning into a psychological war. Leipzig insists on asking price of 80 million euros (£69 million), which is based on their investment when they bought out at €50 million six months ago and their efficient performance in 46 goals in the past 77 games (directly participating in 0.83 goals every 90 minutes). But Chelsea is only willing to pay 60 million euros, and there are two key variables hidden in the negotiation deadlock: one is that Bayern's pursuit of Christopher Nkunku may facilitate player swaps, and the other is that the clause in Simmons' contract expires in 2025 puts Leipzig at risk of depreciation. German Bild revealed that Chelsea is preparing to add the youth training product Cassadi to the transaction. This "cash + player" plan has been proven to be effective in the 2022 Fofana transfer.

From a tactical perspective, this transfer may reshape the Premier League landscape. Simmons completed 63 successful passes in the Bundesliga last season (success rate of 58%), and his left rib cut habit is a perfect match with Chelsea full-back Chilwell's set upload. Data website FBref shows that his 7.33 progressive passes per 90 minutes are even better than Saka. But the hidden danger also exists: Pochettino needs to solve the problem of coexistence with Palmer on the right, while Leipzig reporter Thomas Schlik warned that the intensity of the Premier League's confrontation may expose its 57% ground-fighting success rate. When the lights of Stamford Bridge lighted up, the genius who had been abandoned by the Paris youth training was standing at the most delicate crossroads of his career.