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Kylian Mbappé and PSG, it's almost over. After 7 seasons, almost 300 matches and 250 goals scored, the Bondynois will leave the capital club at the end of the season. He has already informed his managers and will therefore join Real Madrid this summer. An obvious transfer that everyone has been waiting for for years. Well almost. PSG was clearly not the only club hoping to extend its star's contract for another season. This is also the case for Arsenal, which will therefore have to review its plans for the 2024 summer transfer window.
Indeed, according to the English press and the Mirror, the Gunners were banking heavily on an extension of Kylian Mbappé at PSG to be able to advance quietly on another track: that leading to Xavi Simons. The Dutch international is on fire for RB Leipzig this season where he is on loan from Paris. Author of 9 goals and 13 assists in 36 matches this season, Xavi Simons continues his crazy progress and logically attracts several big clubs including Arsenal. For several months, Mikel Arteta has been convinced that he is the player Arsenal needs to boost the team's attacking sector.
PSG wants to bet on Xavi Simons
The London media also explains that his name had already been mentioned internally last summer and at the start of the season for a transfer this summer. While Arsenal should have a large transfer window this summer, management had already started to advance its pawns on this issue. Arteta felt that Xavi Simons could provide competition for Bukayo Saka and allow Arsenal to be much more competitive. But the departure of Kylian Mbappé this summer reinforces the idea that PSG will want to rely on its youth, and therefore Xavi Simons, to rebuild itself.
Above all, the Dutchman, who performed at PSV last year, explained that he wanted playing time, hence his loan to the RBL. “Xavi Simons is another player who belongs to the club. He's on loan and he's excellent. He has the perfect qualities for what we want. It could obviously be a very interesting option for us but it depends on the clubs., explained Luis Enrique recently. The Spanish coach therefore seems to be banking on a return of his 20-year-old player to make up for, numerically at least, the loss of Kylian Mbappé. And that doesn't help Arsenal who will have to battle with Leipzig who want to extend it and with PSG who want to keep it. Mikel Arteta will have to find the right arguments to convince Xavi Simons as well…
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Manu Tournoux is a passionate and knowledgeable football enthusiast with a special focus on French football. Born and raised in France, Manu discovered his love for the beautiful game at a young age and developed a deep understanding of the ins and outs of "Le Championnat." His French roots and extensive experience in football journalism have made him an invaluable asset to the French Football Weekly team.
 
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