RB Leipzig make Xabi Simons decision amid Chelsea transfer interest

Chelsea target Xavi Simons has not been included in RB Leipzig's pre-season friendly against Atalanta this afternoon.

The Blues are plotting their latest move in the transfer window and have pinpointed the Dutch talent as their newest target.

football.london reported this week that Enzo Maresca's side were preparing an opening bid for Simons after progress in talks with the Bundesliga side.

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The 22-year-old opened negotiations with the Stamford Bridge club last week with personal terms being agreed days later.

Chelsea have already bolstered their attacking ranks with the signings of Liam Delap and Joao Pedro, while reports suggest highly-rated Netherlands centre-back Jorrel Hato is close to reaching an agreement over a switch to west London.

Simons' absence from the Leipzig squad provides the last twist in the situation regarding his future.

Speculation emerged on Friday that the 22-year-old had removed RB Leipzig from his Instagram bio with conclusions being drawn that his move to Chelsea is imminent.

According to Sky Sports Germany reporter Philipp Hinze, he misses the Atlanta friendly with a neck injury.

However, he suggests that the signs are becoming clearer that his representatives are pushing for a Premier League move.

Chelsea have recently offloaded Joao Felix from their books after he agreed a two-year deal with Al-Nassr, joining up with international teammate Cristiano Ronaldo in a deal worth over £43.7 million.

Simons only signed a permanent contract with Leipzig in January after initially signing on loan in 2023.

He put pen-to-paper on a two-year deal and expressed his delight after the move was completed. He said: "I've always said that I feel extremely at home in Leipzig and that I'm honored by the appreciation shown towards me by the club.

"Over the coming weeks and months, I will be able to freely pursue our joint aims of qualifying for the Champions League for the seventh straight season, and of reaching the DFB-Pokal final in Berlin – those are the only things that matter right now.”