Manchester United and Bayern Munich are reportedly among the clubs who have discovered the asking price of RB Leipzig star Xavi Simons.
The 21-year-old spent 18 months on loan at Leipzig from Paris Saint-Germain before joining the Bundesliga club permanently in January for an initial €50m (£42.1m) plus add-ons which could see the fee rise to around €81m (£67m).
Simons has established himself as an important first-team player for Leipzig, scoring 18 goals and registering 19 assists in 68 appearances across all tournaments, with 10 goals and 14 assists recorded in 43 matches last season.
This term, Simons has struggled with an ankle injury that kept him sidelined for a few months, but the Netherlands international has still contributed with eight goals and five assists in 25 games for Die Roten Bullen.
Simons acknowledged that he feels "extremely at home" and is "honoured by the appreciation shown towards me" by Leipzig after joining the club permanently last month and extending his contract until 2027.
However, recent reports have suggested that Simons would be open to seeking pastures new and moving to either a Premier League or La Liga club in the near future.
© Imago
Simons available for €80m this summer?
Man United were credited with an interest in Simons last summer when Dutchman Erik ten Hag was in charge, and the Red Devils are understood to still hold an interest in the versatile attacker.
Bundesliga giants Bayern Munich, as well as Arsenal and Liverpool, have also been linked with Simons, with the former believe to have identified the Leipzig star as a potential alternative transfer target to Florian Wirtz of Bayer Leverkusen.
According to Sky Deutschland reporter Philipp Hinze, Leipzig have made it clear that they will demand a fee of €80m for Simons if he decides to leave the club this summer.
Hinze adds that Leipzig want to make a significant profit on Simons if he leaves, and while a summer departure is 'possible', the chances of the attacker staying put have not been ruled out.
The future of Simons may depend on whether Leipzig qualify for next season's Champions League, with Marco Rose's side currently sitting fifth in the Bundesliga table and three points behind the top four with eight games remaining.
Furthermore, the possible sale of Simons could have an impact on the futures of other first-team stars including Benjamin Sesko, Lois Openda and Castello Lukeba who have been linked with an exit - the former of whom is believed to be of interest to both Man United and Arsenal.
Oliver Thomas
