Manchester City are contemplating a stunning hijack of Chelsea’s proposed deal for Xavi Simons, talkSPORT understands.

The Dutchman has agreed personal terms with the Blues ahead of a potential move to Stamford Bridge, but the clubs are yet to reach an agreement.

3

That could open the door for City to come in and try to complete a deal themselves.

As of yet, it is just interest from the former Premier League champions, and it is likely dependent on players moving on.

Savinho has been linked with a shock transfer to Tottenham, but talkSPORT understands Man City don’t want to sell.

However, they may reluctantly let him go if the Brazilian pushes for a move.

James McAtee also looks to be heading to Nottingham Forest, while Jack Grealish has completed a loan move to Everton.

This leaves Pep Guardiola short in the attacking areas, and Simons’ versatility would appeal.

The 22-year-old is mainly an attacking midfield player, but he is more than comfortable on either wing as well.

What is happening with Chelsea and Simons?

When news of this deal first broke, it looked as if it would move quickly, but the two clubs are yet to strike a deal.

A potential deal seeing Christopher Nkunku head back to RB Leipzig two years after swapping Germany for west London has been discussed.

3

3

Nkunku joined the Blues for £52million after scoring 70 goals in Germany in the summer of 2023, though the deal was confirmed in the previous January.

His time at Chelsea has been disrupted by injuries, and he is free to leave the club after being left out of the two pre-season friendlies.

If any deal involving Nkunku to Leipzig were to happen, it would be separate to Simons going the other way.

Leipzig are looking for £60m to part ways with Simons, while Chelsea are hoping to pay just over £50m.

But things are complicated by the fact the player only just joined Leipzig permanently in January from Paris Saint-Germain.

The fee was just over £40m and included around £20m in bonuses, but it is not clear how many of those have been paid.

That will be the key to the price that Leipzig eventually accept for Simons, which would apply to Man City as well.

There have been suggestions that Nkunku doesn’t want to return to Leipzig, which would cause the Blues some problems.

talkSPORT verdict: European expert Kevin Hatchard

Speaking before City’s interest emerged, Hatchard said that while Simons is a high-quality player, there are concerns over his attitude.

“I think he’ll go to Chelsea,” Hatchard said on the Trans Europe Express.

“I think that seems to be the way the wind’s blowing. And he’s a player they’ve been looking for.

“I think that’s the move he’ll make. He has been a player that has been very good for Leipzig in general.

“He scores goals, he makes goals, he’s always trying to affect the game. He’s a real puzzle, Xavi, because I like watching him play. I like what he brings to a game. He’s got really silky skills.

“He has a great awareness of what’s around him. He’s scored some lovely goals. There’s loads to like about him.”

Hatchard continued: “The debate in Germany, rightly or wrongly, and I genuinely don’t know, because you hear rumours around clubs, but it’d be unfair for me to say that I know, because I don’t.

“But the debate in Germany has been: Is he a team player? Does he have attitude problems? All of that. 

“Now, that might be paper talk. That might be just media noise, and it just isn’t true, because there are some coaches that speak up for him. 

“But there are also coaches that have alluded to, he could be more of a team player, his attitude could be different, etc.”