Arsenal are set to move for PSV sensation Xavi Simons in a surprise move to bolster their squad.
The Gunners are set to lose Granit Xhaka in the coming weeks, with Fabrizio Romanoconfirming that the Swiss midfielder is set to end his seven-year stint in English football when he joins Bayer Leverkusen this summer. The deal is thought to be worth around €15 million for the 30-year-old.
It leaves Arsenal with just Martin Odegaard and Fabio Vieira as senior figures able to play as No.8s in Mikel Arteta's 4-3-3, with Emile Smith Rowe more suited to a No.10 role – leaving the need for reinvestment in the position this summer.
Granit Xhaka is leaving Arsenal this summer (Image credit: Stuart MacFarlane/Arsenal FC via Getty Images)
Journalist Aad de Mos has claimed on Dutch outlet Ed.nl that Arteta will react by bringing in highly-rated PSV star Xavi Simons, who actually played home and away against the north Londoners in this season's Europa League group stage.
Simons also went to the World Cup with Netherlands, having impressed in the Eredivisie this term. Prior to his move back to his native country, the starlet was in the Barcelona and PSG academies.
It's believed that Simons could cost as little £20m, too, with the Gunners likely to shell out a lot more money for the likes of Moises Caicedo or Declan Rice.
What's more, a change of agent might favour the Gunners. Simons was formerly looked after by the late Mino Raiola but has switched agent to Darren Dein, son of former Arsenal vice-chairman David. Dein Jr has plenty of connections with the north Londoners – and was reportedly even best man at Thierry Henry's wedding.
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Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta has overseen a squad overhaul with plenty of low-cost signings joining (Image credit: Getty Images)
Arsenal have made a number of lower-cost signings in recent seasons with signings such as Martin Odegaard costing just £30m.
Mark White has been at on FourFourTwo since joining in January 2020, first as a staff writer before becoming content editor in 2023. An encyclopedia of football shirts and boots knowledge – both past and present – Mark has also represented FFT at both FA Cup and League Cup finals (though didn't receive a winners' medal on either occasion) and has written pieces for the mag ranging on subjects from Bobby Robson's season at Barcelona to Robinho's career. He has written cover features for the mag on Mikel Arteta and Martin Odegaard, and is assisted by his cat, Rosie, who has interned for the brand since lockdown.
