Manchester City are likely to miss out on Paris Saint-Germain attacking midfielder Xavi Simons, according to HITC Football.
The website claims that, despite having interest from four Premier League teams, including Arsenal, Chelsea, Aston Villa and the Cityzens, the Dutchman’s “preferred destination” is his former club Barcelona.
Simons came through the Catalan side’s academy before joining PSG but he is reportedly keen on a return to the Camp Nou five years after leaving.
The 21-year-old has been on loan at RB Leipzig this season, having scored 10 goals and contributed 15 assists in 43 appearances for the Bundesliga side.
That form has attracted the attention of City, who are in the market for a player like Simons that can play as a no.10 or out wide.
Will Barcelona win the race for Simons?
A lot depends on PSG and whether they are willing to loan out the Netherlands international for a second successive season.
Unlike City and the other Premier League clubs that are interested, Barca cannot afford Simons’ £50m asking price due to their financial situation.
It means there is still a possibility that the player could end up in England if a move to Spain cannot be worked out.
City may need a replacement for Bernardo Silva
The Portuguese international signed a new contract back in August last year but it included a buyout clause that will allow him to leave the Etihad this summer for £50m.
Ironically, one of the clubs interested in Silva is Barcelona but, if they can’t afford Simons, they won’t be able to go after the City midfielder either.
Even so, if Silva does go, he will need to be replaced. In addition to Simons, Pep Guardiola’s side have also been linked with Bayern Munich’s Jamal Musiala, Leipzig’s Dani Olmo and Bayer Leverkusen’s Florian Wirtz.
