The case for Manchester City to move for a Dutch international has now become compelling | OneFootball

Yesterday, the news broke that Florian Wirtz wants a move to Bayern Munich this summer. Christian Falk reported for CF Bayern Insider that the Bayer Leverkusen playmaker has agreed that Bayern Munich will be his next club. For Manchester City, they’ll have to look elsewhere to add creativity to their midfield. Wirtz did loom as a key City transfer target.

Now they’ll have to find an alternative target. Outside of Morgan Gibbs-White, when you look around at what creative midfielders are around, one player stands out above all others. That is RB Leipzig playmaker Xavi Simons. The case for Manchester City to move for the Dutch international is now compelling on closer inspection.

Xavi Simons would add what Manchester City need in midfield.

Manchester City need more creativity in midfield. Kevin De Bruyne’s imminent departure amplifies this need, but that need was there if De Bruyne had remained at City for next season. What Pep Guardiola’s side needs is a player who can unlock their opponent’s defence from midfield. Whether that’s with a killer pass or with an eye for goal. One player who can do that is Xavi Simons.

Technically, Xavi Simons is a superb player. He’s a typical Dutch player who is blessed with the tremendous technical ability which he has learned at the Barcelona academy. He has refined his game at RB Leipzig. He can play in the pockets and in tight spaces. Xavi Simons has an eye for goal and possesses a wide range of passing. He can also play in a variety of roles, be it as an attacking midfielder or on a wing. His dribbling ability is also a key attribute to his play. The attributes of Xavi Simons’ game would be a handy addition to Pep Guardiola’s squad.

Xavi Simons isn’t the same type of player as Florian Wirtz, but he is a special talent in his own right. If Manchester City want a midfielder to complement what they already have, the Dutch international would do that. A potential midfield pairing of Phil Foden and Xavi Simons behind Erling Haaland, for example, could be devastating.

Xavi Simons is in demand this summer.

If Manchester City did want to sign Xavi Simons, they may face competition for his signature. A report from Mark Brus for CaughtOffside indicates that Liverpool, alongside Manchester City, have an interest in signing the RB Leipzig playmaker. Furthermore, Brus reports that RB Leipzig could sell Xavi Simons for €70 million.

On closer inspection, Xavi Simons would add what Manchester City need this summer. The reported €70 million asking price set by RB Leipzig may be too good to turn down if City do intend to sign the Dutch international this summer.