Chelsea’s ambitious summer recruitment drive is showing no signs of slowing down—but financial realities are beginning to bite. As the Blues look to finalise a deal for Dutch star Xavi Simons, progress has stalled due to one key obstacle: they must sell before they buy.
While a deal for Ajax defender Jorrel Hato is all but complete—set to be announced after an agreement worth €43 million—negotiations for Simons remain locked in a slower gear. Talks with RB Leipzig over the 22-year-old attacking midfielder have been ongoing since last week, but Chelsea have yet to make a formal offer.
The reason? Cost.
Leipzig reportedly value Simons at €70 million and are demanding a sell-on clause, something Chelsea are currently trying to negotiate down. With Chelsea already surpassing the £200m mark in spending for a fourth consecutive summer—and other targets like Alejandro Garnacho also in their sights—something has to give.
Simons Wants Chelsea Move
The good news for Chelsea is that Xavi Simons wants the move. The player has agreed personal terms with the West London club, and his camp is optimistic that a transfer will eventually materialise. Fabrizio Romano has also confirmed Chelsea’s long-standing interest and suggests an offer will come—but only once space is made in the squad.
This doesn’t mean the deal is dead. Far from it. It simply reflects the new financial discipline Chelsea are attempting to operate under in the face of Profit and Sustainability Rules (PSR). The club may no longer have the luxury of stockpiling high-cost talent without first offloading existing players.
Christopher Nkunku: Leipzig’s Wildcard
A surprising twist in this saga is the renewed interest from RB Leipzig in re-signing Christopher Nkunku, who joined Chelsea from the Bundesliga club last summer. While no formal swap deal is being discussed, sources suggest the French forward’s name has come up during discussions for Simons.
Nkunku’s Chelsea career has yet to take off—largely due to injuries—and he may now see a return to Germany as a route to regular football. However, he is not Leipzig’s top choice, and sources say the lack of European competition next season could push Nkunku to explore other options first. Still, Leipzig remain open to a deal should his stance soften—and it could be Chelsea’s shortcut to landing Simons.
Chelsea’s Transfer Balancing Act
Whether Nkunku returns to Leipzig or not, Chelsea need to make room financially and tactically. Among those likely to leave in the coming weeks are:
- Armando Broja (permanent sale expected)
- Christopher Nkunku (if Leipzig’s interest turns serious)
- Tyrique George (loan)
- Kiernan Dewsbury-Hall or Renato Veiga (available for sale)
- Marc Guiu (loan to Sunderland agreed)
Selling Nkunku, who has struggled for consistency and fitness, would clear substantial wages and could allow Chelsea to table a formal bid for Simons without breaching PSR thresholds.
Garnacho Still in the Picture
It’s also worth noting that Chelsea’s pursuit of Alejandro Garnacho is not dependent on Simons’ arrival. The Blues continue to conduct background checks and remain interested in making a late-window bid for the Manchester United winger.
This makes the need for sales even more pressing. Chelsea can’t afford to add both Simons and Garnacho—potentially costing a combined £130m—without making significant space in the squad.
Final Thoughts
Chelsea’s pursuit of Simons highlights a shift in their transfer strategy. The scattergun approach of recent summers appears to be giving way to more calculated, need-based planning. Yet, the club’s ambition to bring in multiple top-tier players will only be realised if they navigate outgoings efficiently.
With Jorrel Hato almost through the door and Simons keen on the move, Chelsea are well-positioned. But the next two weeks will be crucial. A sale—possibly Nkunku—could open the floodgates for the next phase of this ambitious rebuild.
One in, one out. That’s the Chelsea model now—and Simons could be the next big piece.
