Liverpool could be set to deal Manchester City a major blow in the summer transfer window.
Pep Guardiola and his Manchester City side have been made to look rather average by Arne Slot’s Liverpool this season.
The Man City manager has a huge task on his hands if he is to get his team competing with Liverpool again next term.
The squad at The Etihad needs a big refresh, but the same could be said at Anfield, depending on whether or not they are able to keep hold of their three star players – Mohamed Salah, Virgil van Dijk and Trent Alexander-Arnold.
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Pep is said to be planning a huge rebuild in the summer, after this season’s struggles highlighted some key areas that need addressing.
The absence of Rodri this season has shone a bright light on a huge problem that Man City have.
Pep brought Nico Gonzalez to the Etihad in the January window to help plug the hole caused by the Spaniard’s injury.
And a report yesterday suggested that the Man City boss is planning to use Nico O’Reilly as cover for Rodri next season.
However, it has to be said that Manchester City need to sign a world-class midfielder in the summer if they are to close the gap on Liverpool.
The reigning Premier League champions need more power, athleticism, dynamism and genuine quality in the middle of the park.
And that’s why the latest news could be so damaging for the Cityzens.
Liverpool lead race to sign Manchester City target Xavi Simons
So it seems like Pep Guardiola could miss out on one of his key transfer targets to Arne Slot this summer.
ESPN claim that Man City have lodged an enquiry for £66 million-rated RB Leipzig midfielder Xavi Simons.
However, according to a report from The Daily Star (print edition March 2nd, page 45), the bad news for City is that Liverpool are said to be in pole position to sign the exceptional 21-year-old this summer.
Rafael van der Vaart once described Simons as a ‘world-class’ player who could become the best in the world one day (Mundo Deportivo).
The Netherlands international is a truly elite young talent, and has absolutely everything needed to make it at the very highest level of the game.
There aren’t many players who can do what he can at the age of 21. He has bagged 39 goals and 31 assists in 125 games for Leipzig, PSV Eindhoven and Paris Saint-Germain (Transfermarkt).
That’s a remarkable record for someone so young, but he has the complete all-round game to back it up as well.
Missing out on Xavi Simons to Liverpool could set Man City back years
He has made 55 progressive ball carries and 91 progressive passes in 16 Bundesliga games this season. He has also received 122 progressive passes during those outings (FBREF).
Now, let’s compare those numbers to some of City’s midfielders this season.
Ilkay Gundogan has made 38 progressive carries and 95 progressive passes in 24 Premier League games, and has received 61 progressive passes.
Mateo Kovacic has 44, 118 and 14 to his name in 23 league games in those categories.
For context, Rodri recorded 76, 376 and 55 during the 2023/24 Premier League campaign.
The two statistical categories that stand out for Simons are the progressive carries and progressive passes received.
They prove that he is capable of moving the ball forward and finds intelligent positions in attacking areas.
Man City are crying out for a player with ball-carrying ability in the middle of the park, but also a midfielder who can score and create goals.
There isn’t a player more suited to the needs of Manchester City right now than Xavi Simons, so the fact that Liverpool are said to be leading the race for his signature will be an incredibly bitter pill to swallow for Pep.
