One of Manchester United’s transfer targets has asked to leave his current club amid interest from numerous English sides this summer.
The transfer window has reopened, and Manchester United are looking to continue their summer recruitment. The current focus for Ruben Amorim’s side is forwards, as scoring and creating goals was the side’s biggest issue last season.
So far, United have signed Matheus Cunha from Wolves as well as youngster Harley Emsden-James from Southampton. Additionally, the deal for the young French striker Enzo Kana-Biyik is set to be announced in the near future.
United have also put a bid on the table for Brentford’s Bryan Mbeumo, who had a prolific 2024/25 Premier League season, and are preparing a second offer amid competition from Tottenham after Thomas Frank’s arrival.
United have been linked to other attacking players who could be alternatives to Mbeumo if they can’t get the deal done. In a boost for United, one of these players has asked to leave his current club but multiple Champions League sides are interested.
Four Premier League clubs interested in Simons
Following reports from this week which state that Xavi Simons wants to leave RB Leipzig, there have been numerous Premier League clubs linked with moves for the 22-year-old.
According to Sports Bild, Tottenham Hotspur, Newcastle United, and Arsenal are the three other English clubs that are eyeing a move for the Bundesliga star. Of those four clubs, United are the only one not to have Champions League football next season.
Part of the reason Simons, described as ‘exceptional’, has decided to leave RB Leipzig is that they missed out on Europa Conference League football on the last day of the season. If European football is a major factor in Simons’ transfer decision, then the other three Premier League clubs will have an advantage over United.
Spurs are likely to be in a similar camp to United in that they will be hoping to sign Mbeumo or Simons, so the two clubs are unlikely to compete for both. Newcastle had previously been linked to Mbeumo as well, but were reportedly priced out of the move, making them likely to pursue Simons more aggressively.
Is Simons a good fit for United?
Simons has been touted as one of Europe’s hottest attacking prospects since his first spell at PSG. Since then, the Dutch youngster has impressed at PSV and RB Leipzig, averaging 21 league goal involvements a season over the last three years.
Simons’ style of play can best be compared to Cunha and Mason Mount in terms of current United players. When playing a 4-3-3, Simons either plays as an attacking midfielder or on the wing.
Under Amorim’s system, he would play as one of the two attacking midfielders. Amorim requires versatile attackers who can play centrally or drift out wide and create, making Simons an ideal candidate for this role.
Read More: Manchester United target told to snub Rúben Amorim in favour of West Ham after £30m price drop
Due to the club’s PSR issues, it seems likely to be either Simons or Mbeumo and not both, especially after the signing of Cunha. While Simons has impressed in the Netherlands and Germany, he lacks the Premier League experience that Mbeumo possesses and so would be a bigger gamble.
Given United have already bid on Mbeumo, it’s clear that he is the favoured target. However, if Mbeumo is lured away by Spurs, then Simons would be the ideal replacement. This is provided that he’s convinced by the project and not discouraged by the lack of Champions League football.
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