Manchester City are plotting to hijack Chelsea’s move for RB Leipzig forward Xavi Simons this summer, say reports.

Manchester City have dramatically entered the race to sign RB Leipzig star Xavi Simons, with reports claiming Pep Guardiola’s side are ready to disrupt Chelsea’s ongoing pursuit of the highly-rated Dutch talent.

Sources indicate that City have made direct contact with Simons’ agent, Ali Barat, signalling their readiness to move swiftly once the exits of James McAtee and Brazilian winger Savinho are confirmed. Both players are expected to leave in the coming days, potentially creating both squad space and financial room for a big signing.

Chelsea, meanwhile, have been working on this deal for weeks. The Blues have reportedly reached an agreement on personal terms with Simons and are in advanced negotiations with RB Leipzig. The London club believe they are close to securing one of the most exciting young attacking midfielders in Europe.

However, Leipzig’s stance remains firm. The Bundesliga side are said to be demanding a fee of around €70 million (£61 million) for Simons, including performance-related add-ons. This high valuation could prove a stumbling block for Chelsea, especially with the club also looking to offload players to comply with financial regulations.

Chelsea’s approach to soften the blow of the transfer fee has involved proposing swap deals. Names such as Christopher Nkunku, who has had previous success at Leipzig, and youngster Tyrique George have reportedly been floated as potential makeweights in the negotiations.

Leipzig, though, are not entirely convinced by these proposals. While they are open to welcoming Nkunku back to the club, their preference would be a short-term loan rather than a permanent transfer, which complicates Chelsea’s intended strategy.

This uncertainty has opened the door for Manchester City to make their move. Reports suggest Guardiola has been a long-time admirer of Simons’ versatility and technical brilliance, seeing him as an ideal fit for City’s fluid attacking system. The potential departures of Savinho and McAtee have only increased the urgency to bring in a player of his profile.

Simons, for his part, is believed to be leaning towards a Chelsea move at present, having already agreed personal terms. But the sudden interest from City could change the dynamics of the deal, especially if Guardiola can offer Champions League football, a title-challenging squad, and the chance to work under one of football’s most influential coaches.

For Chelsea, losing out on Simons at this stage would be a significant blow to their summer recruitment drive. The club has already been active in the market, adding attacking reinforcements like Liam Delap, Joao Pedro, and Jamie Gittens. Simons was seen as a marquee addition who could elevate their creativity in midfield.

For Manchester City, successfully hijacking the move would be a statement of intent. With rivals strengthening across the league, landing one of Europe’s brightest young stars would not only bolster their squad but also weaken a direct competitor’s plans.

The battle for Xavi Simons now looks set to be one of the defining transfer sagas of the summer, with the outcome potentially hinging on which club can act the fastest—and meet Leipzig’s tough demands before the window slam