Man United ready to launch huge transfer bid for €70m-rated Dutch star ahead of Bayern Munich as rival chief hints at move

Man United ready to launch huge transfer bid for €70m-rated Dutch star ahead of Bayern Munich as rival chief hints at move

Although it is anticipated that Xavi Simons would join Bayern Munich from PSG, Manchester United is still hopeful of acquiring the Dutch player, and one former striker believes he is precisely what Erik ten Hag needs.

A former player at Old Trafford has backed Manchester United’s attempt to sabotage Bayern Munich’s bid for Netherlands star Xavi Simons, claiming he will provide exactly what Erik ten Hag’s team needs.

It had appeared like Simons might be moving to Germany, as Max Eberl, a board member of Bayern Munich, showered the 21-year-old with accolades and acknowledged:

“We saw in the Bundesliga and at the Euros that he is an outstanding footballer, we are trying everything to have a top squad for the new season.”

But French media are now indicating that United could offer Paris Saint-Germain more money to usurp their interest.

And with United also in talks with  PSG  over a £60m deal for Manuel Ugarte, plus rumours of interest in Adrien Rabiot, a double or treble swoop could be in the offing.

Simons is likely to cost a similar amount after PSG batted away an offer of £45m last summer – before he was then sent on loan to RB Leipzig for the season – and his stock has risen since with a decent showing at the European Championships.

And ex-striker Louis Saha reckons Simons can fulfil the role many fans expected from Mason Mount when he arrived from Chelsea 12 months ago.

“What’s very interesting about this, is that a player with his profile is something we needed at Manchester United last season,” Saha said, via Betfred. “We thought Mason Mount was going to provide that, but he didn’t.

“We needed a player that was going to find ways to disrupt defences and this is what Simons is doing currently. He’s brilliant at it and he showed that with the Netherlands. He gets into those spaces which are very difficult to mark and he’s always on the move as well.

“In midfield, we have a lot of exciting players but I don’t believe that we have players that are able to break the lines. We need more unpredictability because we’re an attacking side and we need to gain those advantages when we can, so we definitely need players like this who are able to produce that unpredictability, provide legs, play in those pockets and always be courageous on the ball. He doesn’t shy away and he’s always a threat. I really like that about him.”