FC Barcelona president Joan Laporta has received a major blow to his management. Xavi Simons, one of the most promising talents in the Barça youth system, is about to leave Barcelona to join its eternal rival, Real Madrid.
This move, which many didn't expect, represents a significant setback for Barcelona's sporting strategy, which bet on the young Dutchman at the time.
Xavi Simons's Frustrated Return to Barcelona
Xavi Simons, who came through the youth ranks at Barcelona, was one of the great prospects of the academy. However, his departure to PSG at a very young age was a blow for the Catalonian club.
Many at Barcelona were hoping that they would be able to recover him in the near future. Despite that, the Dutch footballer quickly established himself as one of the jewels of European soccer. At Paris Saint-Germain, he didn't achieve the expected continuity, which led the Parisian club to loan him out to other teams so that he could continue to develop.
PSG and the Need to Sell Simons
PSG eventually realized that Xavi Simons didn't fit into its long-term plans. Despite his enormous talent, the player failed to consistently excel in the first team.
Faced with this situation, PSG decided to loan him out on several occasions. This time, however, it seems that the time has come to sell him permanently. The Parisian club plans to make a profit selling Simons, who is no longer a key part of the project in Paris.
Real Madrid's Interest: a Tempting Offer
Despite FC Barcelona's interest in bringing Simons back, negotiations didn't progress as expected. This left the door open for another big European club to take notice of the young winger. In this case, Real Madrid, always on the lookout for future stars, has decided to launch an offer for the player.
Under the direction of Carlo Ancelotti, Los Blancos are on the lookout for young talents who can bring freshness and quality to the team. Simons's versatility, given he can play both as a winger and as a midfielder, makes him a very attractive piece for Los Merengues' scheme.
The Uncertain Future of Xavi Simons
Meanwhile, Xavi Simons's future remains uncertain. Real Madrid's offer is serious and the player is looking for a club with bigger ambitions. Therefore, he could be willing to accept the challenge of succeeding at Santiago Bernabéu. Whatever Simons's fate, the transfer market will keep moving and Barcelona will have to act quickly to avoid losing more talent.