Chelsea have been busy this summer, although most of their recent activity has revolved around departures rather than arrivals. Soon enough, the Hoops are expected to bring in a few more players to strengthen Enzo Maresca's Club World Cup-winning squad further. And it looks like they are favourites to sign a highly-rated talent despite there also being interest from European giants like Bayern Munich and London rivals Arsenal.
Chelsea's entire transfer strategy is based around signing some of the brightest rising talents around world football. It does not get better in that regard than Xavi Simons.
A prodigy at Barcelona, he made the move to PSG early in his career. That proved to be a misstep but he has recovered, since establishing himself as one of the brightest talents in the Bundesliga with RB Leipzig.
It was just in January that he joined RB Leipzig on a permanent basis, but he is already keen to leave the club. Chelsea want to sign him but they are not the only ones.
Chelsea named favourites to sign £60m player ahead of Arsenal
Discussing the situation of Simons on his YouTube channel, Fabrizio Romano said that Arsenal appreciate the player and have had discussions with his agents, while Bayern Munich have called several times to be informed of the situation. But Chelsea are advancing and are the clear favourites to sign him.
Of course, someone like Simons could be a phenomenal signing for Chelsea. But at the same time, a move would come with risk as well.
Simons would be a similar type of signing to Joao Felix. Maresca likes to play with a touchline winger to provide width to his team. That is not a role which suits the Dutchman. On the other hand, the number 10 role is pretty much locked in for Cole Palmer.
Plenty of types we have seen Chelsea sign these players who are highly-regarded but are not 'specialists' in one position. And it rarely works, because it is very difficult to find a spot for them in the starting XI.
It is believed that RB Leipzig want a fee in the region of £60 million for the transfer. So, Chelsea must think carefully and be completely sure about Simons' fit in this team before making any move.