Chelsea’s latest swap deal offer to sign Xavi Simons in the summer transfer window has been rejected by RB Leipzig, according to reports.
The Blues offered €40m (£34.5m) plus Christopher Nkunku for the 22-year-old Netherlands international – one of Enzo Maresca’s top targets.
While Leipzig view their former star Nkunku as an interesting player, they are not willing to consider bringing him back as part of a deal for Simons.
German outlet BILD reports that Bundesliga side Leipzig rejected Chelsea’s offer because Nkunku ‘no longer fits into their salary structure’.
It is also understood that Nkunku – said to be earning €20m (£17.2m) per year at Stamford Bridge – is not keen on a second stint at his old club.
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Chelsea are now set to go back to the drawing board as negotiations continue to bring Simons to west London before the window closes.
Leipzig want €70m (£60.4m) for Simons, who has conjured up 21 goals and 23 assists across 76 games for the German club to date.
Simons, who plays as an attacking midfielder or as a winger, has already agreed personal terms with Chelsea – and a move seems likely as the new Premier League season looms.
Manchester City have reportedly launched an attempt to hijack the deal but it’s thought that Simons would prefer to join the Blues this summer.
Chelsea have already signed a number of players this summer, including Jamie Gittens, Joao Pedro, Liam Delap, Jorrel Hato, Estevao Willian, Dario Essugo, Mamadou Sarr and Kendry Paez.
Dutch coach Rene Meulensteen believes Simons would thrive at Chelsea if he becomes their latest signing.
‘Xavi Simons is a great player to float around the No.10 position, or cut inside from the wing into the pockets,’ he told Poker Strategy.
‘He’s a good dribbler, versatile and has cut his teeth with PSV and RB Leipzig, performing well in the Bundesliga.
‘The Premier League is a step up, but you would expect playing for Chelsea or another top six side that the team would dominate most games they play – and that would suit Simons.
‘He’s very creative and plays with a lot of intensity. He’s certainly a player Chelsea fans could warm to immediately.
‘While the areas in which they both operate may be similar, Cole Palmer and Simons are different in various aspects; they aren’t the same player.
‘But they both excel at working in the forward pockets and have an eye for manufacturing the lead-up to a goal.
‘Another Dutch player Chelsea have brought in is Jorrel Hato, who has already shown great maturity early on in his career. Usually, young players show some immaturity or appear to lack character when they play their first few games. But Hato plays like he’s already got hours of gametime under his belt.’
