Arsenal have been linked with two attackers who thrived at RB Leipzig this season, in Benjamin Sesko and Xavi Simons.
Sesko appears to be Mikel Arteta’s main striker target, and Arsenal may be confident that they can beat Chelsea and Manchester United to his signature.
Simons is also on Arsenal’s radar. The winger thrived on loan at Leipzig from Paris Saint-Germain, and it appears that the French club want to loan him out again, but have ruled out a permanent departure.
This could suit Arsenal in a way, given that they need a winger who can add speed to Arteta’s squad, and with a midfielder such as Bruno Guimaraes also being targeted, a loan deal would free up finances to focus on other areas. However, there is one problem.
Xavi Simons wants to wait until Euros to decide on future
Fabrizio Romano has now revealed that Simons wants to wait until after his European Championships campaign with the Netherlands is finished before making any decision over his future.
“The player will decide what he wants to do after the Euros, it will take time,” he stated of Simons in his Daily Briefing.
“Bayern want him it’s true, RB Leipzig too, and there are Premier League clubs also interested. Xavi Simons is open to going on loan, it’s something really concrete and I expect that to happen.
“It’s important to note that PSG have no plans to sell him on a permanent deal.”
This will frustrate Arteta for one key reason.
Arsenal want to progress with their transfer business early in the window
Arsenal want to be proactive over their transfer targets in the upcoming window, and move early and quickly for Arteta’s desired additions.
The potential deal for Sesko is set to be concluded before the Euros, but there will be no such luck for Simons.
If the 21-year-old has a strong Euros campaign for his country, interest in him will only increase, and it seems unlikely that Arsenal will want to involve themselves in a long saga over a player who may only arrive on loan.
Arteta will therefore be frustrated that Simons has not made up his mind on his potential destination for the season, and if Arsenal need to battle with the likes of Bayern Munich for his signature, it could be a deal the club ends up moving on from.