{"id":1324780,"date":"2023-09-22T17:00:28","date_gmt":"2023-09-22T16:00:28","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.squawka.com\/en\/?p=1324780"},"modified":"2023-09-22T17:00:28","modified_gmt":"2023-09-22T16:00:28","slug":"xavi-simons-rb-leipzig-man-utd","status":"publish","type":"news","link":"https:\/\/www.squawka.com\/en\/news\/xavi-simons-rb-leipzig-man-utd\/","title":{"rendered":"Xavi Simons&#8217; Haaland-esque exploits show why Man Utd and Borussia Dortmund &#8216;tried to sign him&#8217;"},"content":{"rendered":"<p><strong>Xavi Simons has put to bed any concerns of his development stalling after joining RB Leipzig this summer.<\/strong><\/p>\n<p>The prodigious 20-year-old Dutch forward joined Marco Rose&#8217;s side from parent club Paris Saint-Germain signing a one-year loan deal.<\/p>\n<p>It came on the back of spending last season at Dutch giants PSV Eindhoven where he bagged 22 goals and registered 17 assists through 48 appearances in all competitions.<\/p>\n<blockquote class=\"twitter-tweet\" data-width=\"500\" data-dnt=\"true\">\n<p lang=\"en\" dir=\"ltr\">First 3 points in the bag, so important!!! ???\ufe0f?\ufe0f <a href=\"https:\/\/t.co\/1naC3T8MOW\">pic.twitter.com\/1naC3T8MOW<\/a><\/p>\n<p>&mdash; Xavi Simons (@xavisimons) <a href=\"https:\/\/twitter.com\/xavisimons\/status\/1695195314947281016?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw\">August 25, 2023<\/a><\/p><\/blockquote>\n<p><script async src=\"https:\/\/platform.twitter.com\/widgets.js\" charset=\"utf-8\"><\/script><\/p>\n<p>Prior to leaving for Eindhoven his parent club negotiated a buy-back clause which they&#8217;ve activated. He subsequently penned a new four-year contract at PSG but will spend the forthcoming months in Germany&#8217;s top division.<\/p>\n<p>&#8220;The Bundesliga is one of the best leagues in Europe and RB Leipzig are one of the best teams in the Bundesliga,&#8221; Xavi told Die Roten Bullen\u2019s official website once the news became official. &#8220;Coming to Leipzig is the right step for me because RBL constantly show how to develop young players and be successful with them,&#8221; he added.<\/p>\n<p>Some observers felt it may have been another step too soon feeling another Eredivisie campaign or two under his belt would be ideal. However, those concerns are currently unfounded with Xavi hitting the ground running in style.<\/p>\n<p>The 34-time Dutch international has been directly involved in seven goals across his first four Bundesliga games (three goals and four assists), equalling the record since Opta started compiling the data in 2004\/05 set by Paco Alcacer and Erling Haaland. Xavi netted for the third Bundesliga game in a row last time out against Augsburg.<\/p>\n<h2 class=\"article-page__title\">Dabble sign-up offer: <b data-stringify-type=\"bold\">Bet \u00a310+ &amp; Receive \u00a310 In Free Bets<\/b><\/h2>\r\n<p><strong>Not signed up to <a href=\"https:\/\/www.squawka.com\/en\/bet\/betting-sites\/dabble-sign-up-offer\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Dabble<\/a> yet? Here's how to claim the <b data-stringify-type=\"bold\">Bet \u00a310+ &amp; Receive \u00a310 In Free Bets<\/b> welcome offer:<\/strong><\/p>\r\n<ol>\r\n<li>Sign up to Dabble through this <a href=\"\/en\/go\/dabble?q=gb-all-con-wof-s-spo\">link<\/a><\/li>\r\n<li>Register your account with accurate personal details<\/li>\r\n<li>Place your first bet of \u00a310 or more<\/li>\r\n<li>Receive your \u00a310 in free bets when your qualifying bet has setted<\/li>\r\n<li>Use your Free Bet on any eligible sportsbook market within 7 days<\/li>\r\n<\/ol>\r\n<p><a href=\"\/en\/go\/dabble?q=gb-all-con-wof-s-spo\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"aligncenter wp-image-1423518 size-medium\" src=\"https:\/\/media.squawka.com\/images\/2026\/01\/12083841\/Screenshot-2026-01-12-083822-300x250.png\" alt=\"\" width=\"300\" height=\"250\" srcset=\"https:\/\/media.squawka.com\/images\/2026\/01\/12083841\/Screenshot-2026-01-12-083822-300x250.png 300w, https:\/\/media.squawka.com\/images\/2026\/01\/12083841\/Screenshot-2026-01-12-083822-320x267.png 320w, https:\/\/media.squawka.com\/images\/2026\/01\/12083841\/Screenshot-2026-01-12-083822-240x200.png 240w, https:\/\/media.squawka.com\/images\/2026\/01\/12083841\/Screenshot-2026-01-12-083822-72x60.png 72w, https:\/\/media.squawka.com\/images\/2026\/01\/12083841\/Screenshot-2026-01-12-083822-150x125.png 150w, https:\/\/media.squawka.com\/images\/2026\/01\/12083841\/Screenshot-2026-01-12-083822-40x33.png 40w, https:\/\/media.squawka.com\/images\/2026\/01\/12083841\/Screenshot-2026-01-12-083822.png 712w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 300px) 100vw, 300px\" \/><\/a><\/p>\r\n<p>#AD 18+ 7-day free bet expiry. Stake not returned. Promotional Terms Apply.\u00a0<a class=\"c-link\" href=\"http:\/\/gambleaware.org\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" data-stringify-link=\"http:\/\/GambleAware.org\" data-sk=\"tooltip_parent\">GambleAware.org<\/a><\/p>\r\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p>RB Leipzig head coach Rose recently compared Xavi to a young Kevin Kampl and previously said he &#8220;is practically a prototype of exactly what [RB Leipzig] want for our play. He enjoys chasing loose balls and going into challenges, while he transmits such great energy off and on the ball. He is a gifted footballer too.&#8221;<\/p>\n<p>Xavi brought that form into the Champions League as RBL ran out 3-1 winners on the road at Swiss outfit Young Boys, a game that saw him complete no fewer than eight dribbles, which is one fewer than matchday one&#8217;s best such return belonging to former (and perhaps future) teammate Kylian Mbapp\u00e9.<\/p>\n<p>Leipizg&#8217;s are profiting from Xavi&#8217;s performances but it could have all been different with Manchester United or rivals Borussia Dortmund being the beneficiaries instead.<\/p>\n<blockquote class=\"twitter-tweet\" data-width=\"500\" data-dnt=\"true\">\n<p lang=\"en\" dir=\"ltr\">Champions League <a href=\"https:\/\/twitter.com\/hashtag\/MOTM?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw\">#MOTM<\/a> ?<a href=\"https:\/\/twitter.com\/hashtag\/YBRBL?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw\">#YBRBL<\/a> <a href=\"https:\/\/twitter.com\/hashtag\/UCL?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw\">#UCL<\/a> <a href=\"https:\/\/t.co\/7NwZ2laKcI\">pic.twitter.com\/7NwZ2laKcI<\/a><\/p>\n<p>&mdash; RB Leipzig (@RBLeipzig) <a href=\"https:\/\/twitter.com\/RBLeipzig\/status\/1704209692770136385?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw\">September 19, 2023<\/a><\/p><\/blockquote>\n<p><script async src=\"https:\/\/platform.twitter.com\/widgets.js\" charset=\"utf-8\"><\/script><\/p>\n<p>&#8220;In the summer Manchester United also considered Xavi Simons as an option,&#8221; claimed journalist Fabrizio Romano on his\u00a0<b data-stringify-type=\"bold\"><a class=\"c-link\" href=\"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/watch?v=f14l8ji3zXw\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" data-stringify-link=\"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/watch?v=f14l8ji3zXw\" data-sk=\"tooltip_parent\">Youtube channel<\/a><\/b>.<\/p>\n<p>&#8220;They had some calls, Erik ten Hag was really keen on bringing Xavi Simons to Manchester United, but then Paris Saint-Germain triggered the buy-back clause they had with PSV Eindhoven. 6million Euros, incredible. And then they decided to send him on loan to Leipzig.<\/p>\n<p>&#8220;But in case the player was going to stay at PSV Eindhoven and decided against the buy-clause, Manchester United were in pole position to bring Xavi Simons to Old Trafford this summer.&#8221;<\/p>\n<p>Borussia Dortmund were close to signing him in the summer, too, reports Bild. However, a deal couldn&#8217;t be agreed with Paris Saint-Germain because the BVB insisted on a purchase option.<\/p>\n<h3><strong>Read more:<\/strong><\/h3>\r\n<ul>\r\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.squawka.com\/en\/news\/\"><strong>Latest football news<\/strong><\/a><\/li>\r\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.squawka.com\/en\/bet\/football-tips\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><strong>Football betting tips<\/strong><\/a><\/li>\r\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.squawka.com\/en\/bet\/betting-sites\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><strong>Best betting sites<\/strong><\/a><\/li>\r\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.squawka.com\/en\/bet\/betting-sites\/best-free-bet-offers\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><strong>Best free bet offers<\/strong><\/a><\/li>\r\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.squawka.com\/en\/bet\/football-tips\/accumulator\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><strong>Football accumulator tips<\/strong><\/a><\/li>\r\n<\/ul>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Xavi Simons has put to bed any concerns of his development stalling after joining RB Leipzig this summer. The prodigious 20-year-old Dutch forward joined Marco Rose&#8217;s side from parent club Paris Saint-Germain signing a one-year loan deal. It came on the back of spending last season at Dutch giants PSV Eindhoven where he bagged 22&#8230;<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":202,"featured_media":1324781,"parent":0,"menu_order":0,"template":"","meta":{"_acf_changed":false,"_yoast_wpseo_focuskw":"","_yoast_wpseo_title":"","_yoast_wpseo_metadesc":"","footnotes":""},"tags":[],"news-category":[],"class_list":["post-1324780","news","type-news","status-publish","has-post-thumbnail","hentry"],"acf":{"external_featured_image_url":"","hide_featured_image_pattern":false},"yoast_head":"<!-- This site is optimized with the Yoast SEO Premium plugin v28.0 (Yoast SEO v28.0) - https:\/\/yoast.com\/product\/yoast-seo-premium-wordpress\/ -->\n<title>Xavi Simons&#039; Haaland-esque exploits show why Man Utd and Borussia Dortmund &#039;tried to sign him&#039; | Squawka | EN<\/title>\n<meta name=\"robots\" content=\"index, follow, max-snippet:-1, max-image-preview:large, max-video-preview:-1\" \/>\n<link rel=\"canonical\" href=\"https:\/\/www.squawka.com\/en\/news\/xavi-simons-rb-leipzig-man-utd\/\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:locale\" content=\"en_GB\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:type\" content=\"article\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:title\" content=\"Xavi Simons&#039; Haaland-esque exploits show why Man Utd and Borussia Dortmund &#039;tried to sign him&#039;\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:description\" content=\"Xavi Simons has put to bed any concerns of his development stalling after joining RB Leipzig this summer. 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It came on the back of spending last season at Dutch giants PSV Eindhoven where he bagged 22...\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:url\" content=\"https:\/\/www.squawka.com\/en\/news\/xavi-simons-rb-leipzig-man-utd\/\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:site_name\" content=\"Squawka | EN\" \/>\n<meta property=\"article:publisher\" content=\"https:\/\/www.facebook.com\/SquawkaFootballNews\/\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:image\" content=\"https:\/\/media.squawka.com\/images\/2023\/09\/22165345\/1324780_1324780_xavi-simons-man-utd-scaled.jpg\" \/>\n\t<meta property=\"og:image:width\" content=\"2560\" \/>\n\t<meta property=\"og:image:height\" content=\"1440\" \/>\n\t<meta property=\"og:image:type\" content=\"image\/jpeg\" \/>\n<meta name=\"twitter:card\" content=\"summary_large_image\" \/>\n<meta name=\"twitter:site\" content=\"@squawka\" \/>\n<meta name=\"twitter:label1\" content=\"Estimated reading time\" \/>\n\t<meta name=\"twitter:data1\" content=\"3 minutes\" \/>\n<script type=\"application\/ld+json\" class=\"yoast-schema-graph\">{\"@context\":\"https:\\\/\\\/schema.org\",\"@graph\":[{\"@type\":\"NewsArticle\",\"@id\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.squawka.com\\\/en\\\/news\\\/xavi-simons-rb-leipzig-man-utd\\\/#article\",\"isPartOf\":{\"@id\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.squawka.com\\\/en\\\/news\\\/xavi-simons-rb-leipzig-man-utd\\\/\"},\"author\":{\"name\":\"Mohamed Moallim\",\"@id\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.squawka.com\\\/en\\\/#\\\/schema\\\/person\\\/46582d436cbfa44c50f11dd9e9e6f22c\"},\"headline\":\"Xavi Simons&#8217; 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