Tottenham Hotspur are looking to hijack another deal after completing a move for RB Leipzig playmaker Xavi Simons, with Spurs appearing determined to end what has been a very difficult transfer window on a high.
Ironically, a week after Eberechi Eze was stolen from under Daniel Levy’s nose, Spurs have pulled off one of the standout transfer hijacks of the summer with Simons joining the north Londoners.
Mohammed Kudus
£55 million
Kota Takai
£5 million
Mathys Tel
£30 million
Joao Palhinha
Loan
Kevin Danso
£21 million
According to Fabrizio Romano, Thomas Frank’s side reached an ‘overnight’ agreement with Leipzig and have signed the Dutch international in a deal worth £52 million.
The transfer is complete, and it is a major boost for Frank, who has been pushing for extra firepower and creativity in the final third. Having missed out on Eze and Morgan Gibbs-White in spectacular fashion, the arrival of Simons delivers the kind of quality and versatility their attack has been crying out for.
At just 22, Simons is regarded as one of Europe’s brightest young talents. He can operate as an attacking midfielder, out-wide and can even drift between the lines – offering Frank a range of tactical options that will give Spurs greater attacking freedom throughout the campaign.
Most importantly, it gives the Lilywhites an extra option with James Maddison injured, Dejan Kulusevski injured and Son Heung-min gone for the MLS.
The former PSG sensation, who was also a product of Barcelona’s famed La Masia academy, has been impressing for Leipzig in the Bundesliga since 2023 and now has the chance to showcase his sky-high potential in the Premier League.
Simons bagged 11 goals and eight assists over 33 appearances last term, despite missing a chunk of the season with ankle ligament damage, which makes for promising reading as supporters yearn for another proven creator.
Tottenham make "surprise offer" for Man City defender Manuel Akanji
After completing a deal for the Netherlands international, one of Levy’s next orders of business is signing a new defender.
Tottenham have been looking at centre-backs since Radu Dragusin is still out with an ACL problem, and Man City defender Manuel Akanji has emerged as a late option.
The Swiss ace has two years left on his contract and hasn’t played a single minute for City so far this season, with Turkish champions Galatasaray already having a club-to-club agreement over signing Akanji from the Sky Blues.
That is according to The Mail and journalist Jack Gaughan, who report that Tottenham have made a “surprise” bid for Akanji, who is taking time to assess his options and wants Champions League football.
Spurs’ approach means the 30-year-old will likely favour remaining in England as a result, with Galatasaray’s move for the player now in danger of being hijacked.
Pep Guardiola, while not calling on Akanji this term, has lavished him with praise in the past.
“With [assistant manager] Carlos Vicens on set pieces, he said: ‘you only have to tell [Akanji] once [and] he knows it’,” said Guardiola in 2023.
“The movement defensively and offensively, he executes it perfectly. This is a gift for the manager. Some players, you have to explain ten times or train ten times to show what you are thinking or what you want to do. This guy needed just one training session and he got it.
“The movement he has to do as a full-back, the high pressing, he didn’t train once, and he did it perfectly. With the ball he is a magnificent player. Our build-up should be three in the back and that’s why in the position we normally play Kyle [Walker] or John [Stones]. He was absolutely perfect. Proof again that intelligent people, always it pays off.”