Chelsea Move Ahead of Arsenal in £60m Transfer Battle

Chelsea have reportedly moved ahead of Arsenal in the pursuit of highly rated Dutch midfielder Xavi Simons, currently with Bundesliga side RB Leipzig.

Both Premier League clubs, alongside Bayern Munich, have shown strong interest in the 21-year-old throughout the summer transfer window. However, fresh reports now suggest that Chelsea have taken the lead in the race.

According to transfer expert Fabrizio Romano, Simons is “very keen” on a move to Stamford Bridge and is attracted by Chelsea’s long-term project and vision. The club is said to be “pushing hard” to finalise a deal, with direct contact already established with the player’s representatives.

RB Leipzig reportedly value Simons at £60 million, though there is optimism within Chelsea’s camp that a slightly lower fee could be negotiated due to the player’s willingness to join and the club’s proactive approach. Bayern Munich’s sporting director, Christoph Freund, previously described Simons as an “exceptional talent,” reflecting his growing reputation in European football.

Formal negotiations between Chelsea and RB Leipzig are expected to begin as early as Tuesday. However, the deal is likely to depend on player outgoings, as Chelsea look to balance their squad and finances before making additional high-profile signings.

Arsenal, while not out of the race entirely, appear to have cooled their interest for now. Should Chelsea fail to meet Leipzig’s conditions or complete the necessary sales, the Gunners could still re-enter the frame in the coming weeks.