Liverpool scouts were in attendance for RB Leipzig’s game against Bayern Munich on Saturday, with young Dutch midfielder Xavi Simons potentially on the agenda.
Leipzig led Bayern Munich 2-0, then trailed 3-2, then scored an injury-time equalizer to delay Bayern’s title party. Benjamin Sesko, who is also a reported summer target for Liverpool, scored the opening goal in the game to move onto 21 goals for the season in all competitions.
Liverpool is in the market for a new striker this summer, and while a new attacking midfielder is not believed to be a priority, Simons would no doubt add depth to a squad that has lacked it at times this season.
Simons has had a high profile ever since he was a youngster in the Barcelona academy, and he has already played for a host of big clubs at senior level, with stints at Paris Saint-Germain, PSV Eindhoven and Leipzig on his CV.
Former Manchester United manager Erik ten Hag is a big fan of compatriot Simons, having praised him during last summer’s European Championship.
Simons started and scored in the Netherlands’ 2-1 defeat by England in the semi-finals, prompting praise from Ten Hag. “I enjoyed Xavi Simons in that game (against England),” Ten Hag said. “The drive he has, the passion with which he conquers balls and recognises situations are top. His enormous drive as well. That is almost un-Dutch. I think you can see that he was trained abroad. He almost has a southern European doggedness in his game.”
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Speaking to Sky Germany earlier this year, Simons hinted that he had aspirations of playing at a bigger club than Leipzig. “I’m still a young player, I have many dreams – and the club knows that,” Simons said. “But right now, the most important thing for me is to play well in the upcoming games. Then we have the international matches, and after that we’ll sit down and see what happens.”
Bild recently reported that Liverpool and Manchester United are both monitoring Simons ahead of the summer transfer window. Liverpool is said to have regularly monitored Simons this season, but he would command a significant transfer fee as well as lofty weekly wages.
Simons has appeared 31 times in all competitions for Leipzig this season, scoring 10 goals and registering eight assists. His game time has been split between appearances in attacking midfield and on the left wing, but Liverpool is well stocked on the left flank, with the likes of Luis Diaz and Cody Gakpo having both enjoyed good seasons.
