Arsenal can only sign Xavi Simons on loan this summer after PSV starlet accepted return to Ligue 1 champions PSG.
Arsenal’s hopes of seeing Xavi Simons in north London have taken a considerable blow on Sunday as the Dutch international has decided to accept a move back to PSG. PSV will lose their talented star for just €6million (£5.2million) after the French champions activated the buy-back clause inserted into his Ԁєɑł.
Simons had been mulling over the decision of whether to accept the switch back to PSG butaccording to Dutch journalist Rik Elfrink.However, Simons’ future could yet still have an open door withFabrizio Romano suggestingthat a loan move could occur shouldboth Neymar and Kylian Mbappe stay this summer.
Arsenal have the option to strengthen their front line with Simons but only if they accept the terms of a loan Ԁєɑł. This ultimatum is surely not too attractive of an opportunity to the Gunners.
It could be sweetened if Arsenal themselves secured a buy option in the loan but why PSG would be open to this unless it was for a significant figure makes this possibility very small. Arsenal too might not want to be seen developing another clubs stars when it has plenty of its own to be concerned with.
Ethan Nwaneri and Myles Lewis-Skelly impressed in their cameos against Nurnbergand the former has the versatility to potentially rival a profile like Simons in the future. That said, the forward line remains arguably the least reinforced, especially behind Bukayo Saka.
For hopes of challenging again for the Premier League title and to have a shot at winning the Champions League Arsenal cannot afford to lose Saka at this stage. Granted, Reiss Nelson signed a new Ԁєɑł but the winger has shown more promise on the left and despite some impressive displays is still recognised as being something of a step down in level from his Hale єɴԀ teammate.
Whilst a move for Simons, therefore, has become far more unlikely this summer in light of PSG’s successful buy-back, Arsenal might still have scope to enter the market. Having spent more than £200million, add-ons included, on Declan Rice, Jurrien Timber and Kai Havertz, there’s a show of ambition and the summer might not be done.
