The 22-year-old, renowned for his versatility and flair, has emerged as a top target for the Blues as they aim to bolster their attacking options for the 2025/26 campaign.

Simons, who has notched 21 goals and 23 assists in 76 appearances for Leipzig, has made it clear he wants to leave the Bundesliga side after they failed to secure Champions League qualification. His performances have cemented his reputation as one of Europe's most exciting attacking midfielders, and a move to Stamford Bridge appears increasingly likely.

Transfer expert Fabrizio Romano reported on X, "Xavi Simons removing RB Leipzig from his Instagram bio, seen as transfer message: he wants Chelsea move. Negotiations remain advanced, more work to do to get it done, but Xavi has 2 years left on his contract and won't extend".

Sky Germany's Florian Plettenberg added further insight, stating on X, "Chelsea are still working on a deal for #Xavi Simons. A verbal agreement is almost done. There's still a strong feeling that the deal will go through… Chelsea are ready to submit an official bid, but further player offloads are needed first".

The Blues are reportedly close to finalizing personal terms with Simons, who is keen on the move, though Leipzig are holding firm on a valuation around 70 million euros.

To facilitate the deal, Chelsea are actively managing their squad, with player sales a priority to balance the books. A significant step came with the confirmation of Armando Broja's permanent transfer to newly promoted Burnley. Romano sealed the news with his signature "Here we go" on X, noting, "It's over between Chelsea and Broja," with the Albanian striker set to undergo a medical at Turf Moor.

The move follows Chelsea's agreement to loan young forward Marc Guiu to Sunderland, signaling a clear-out to make room for new additions.

The Blues have already secured a deal for Ajax's talented defender Jorrel Hato, a compatriot of Simons, with Romano confirming Chelsea's confidence in landing both Dutch stars.

However, speculation around other targets persists, with Manchester United's Alejandro Garnacho also linked. Plettenberg clarified that Simons' potential arrival is independent of any move for Garnacho, suggesting Chelsea could pursue both to revamp their attack.

Chelsea's transfer strategy reflects their ambition to build a youthful, dynamic squad under manager Enzo Maresca. The club have already splashed out over 200 million euros this summer, with signings like Jamie Gittens from Borussia Dortmund and Joao Pedro from Brighton. Yet, to fund further moves, outgoings remain crucial.

Reports indicate Christopher Nkunku, Raheem Sterling, and even Nicolas Jackson could depart, with Simons and Garnacho high on the Blues' radar to inject creativity and flair.

As negotiations with Leipzig progress, Chelsea are edging closer to a statement signing. Simons' desire to join, coupled with his proven track record, 10 goals and seven assists in the Bundesliga last season, makes him a prime candidate to shine in the Premier League.

With the transfer window ticking down, the Blues are moving decisively to ensure their squad is ready to compete at the highest level.

Ex-AmaZulu coach and Sundowns assistant Romain Folz takes the helm at Young Africans SC