With less than a month left before the summer transfer window closes, Manchester City must wrap up the signings they still wish to add to their squad quickly.
Before the FIFA Club World Cup, Pep Guardiola’s men managed to complete deals for Rayan Ait-Nouri, Tijjani Reijnders, Marcus Bettinelli and Rayan Cherki.
Since then, the English giants have signed James Trafford and we understand that Rodrygo is on Manchester City’s radar as well.
With Gianluigi Donnarumma keen to join Manchester City after agreeing personal terms, a new-look Sky Blues side could be there for all to see next season.
Xavi Simons has emerged as another surprise target for City.
- READ MORE: How Xavi Simons once got Pep Guardiola in trouble as Manchester City now aim to sign £60m star
Man City could hijack Chelsea’s move for Xavi Simons
Manchester City are targeting Simons alongside Rodrygo as a potential replacement for Savinho, who could join Tottenham Hotspur in tandem with Eberechi Eze this summer.
Journalist Ben Jacobs told the London Is Blue- Chelsea FC Podcast that while Simons eyes a move to Enzo Maresca’s side, Manchester City could very well steal a march on the Blues by hijacking the transfer.
“Xavi Simons wants the move. I know we’ve heard some recent links with Man City. You can’t discount a hijack bid but that’s also where Chelsea are keeping their verbal talks discreet and quiet and not making formal bids.”
“Because if they were to get a formal bid accepted at 55, the rest of the industry turns around and goes, hang on a minute, Leipzig actually are giving a great deal. And that’s when you worry about a Man City, a Bayern, even an Arsenal, if they don’t move for Eberechi Eze as Spurs are now trying for that deal.”
Nathan Ake’s record alongside Xavi Simons for the Netherlands
The 22-year-old is one of the most gifted youngsters in European football.
Despite being a natural number 10, the Dutchman is also capable of playing out wide and in deeper areas of the pitch.
Nathan Ake has played alongside Manchester City and Chelsea target Simons on 20 occasions.
| NATHAN AKE’S RECORD ALONGSIDE XAVI SIMONS FOR NETHERLANDS | |
| APPEARANCES | 20 |
| WINS | 11 |
| LOSSES | 7 |
| DRAWS | 2 |
If the pair were reunited at the Etihad Stadium and he decided not to sign for Chelsea, they would be hoping to improve their record in tandem.
Based on Pep Guardiola’s record of never having gone two seasons in a row without a league title, Ake and Simons could be expected to lift silverware if they played together at Manchester City.
However, as things stand, the RB Leipzig attacker is likely to end up at Stamford Bridge.
