FC Barcelona held a surprise meeting with representatives of Xavi Simons this week. While the player is reportedly eager to return to his boyhood club, financial obstacles make a summer move unlikely.
Surprise Meeting in Barcelona Between Deco and Simons’ Camp
According to Sport, Barcelona sporting director Deco met on Wednesday with the entourage of Xavi Simons. The meeting took place at a hotel in Barcelona and included Simons’ brother Faustino Simons and influential agent Ali Barat.
Although Barat is not Simons’ official agent, he is known to have a strong influence over the player’s decisions. The meeting lasted around 45 minutes and was described as an early-stage discussion rather than advanced negotiations.
Simons made it clear that his dream is to return to Barcelona, the club where he spent much of his youth. He is reportedly planning to leave RB Leipzig this summer, where he spent the 2023/24 season on loan from Paris Saint-Germain.
A Complicated Deal for Barcelona
Despite mutual interest, a transfer appears financially out of reach for Barcelona at this time. Simons’ current market value is estimated at around €70 million, a figure that exceeds what Barça can currently afford under La Liga’s financial fair play constraints.
Head coach Hansi Flick has also spoken recently about the club’s overcrowded midfield, suggesting that further additions in that area may not be a priority this summer.
Premier League Clubs Monitoring the Situation
While Simons has expressed his interest in returning to Camp Nou, his representatives are also in talks with top Premier League clubs, who are better positioned to meet PSG’s valuation and the player’s wage demands.
Still, Barcelona’s intention with this meeting was clear: to stay in touch with the player’s camp and maintain a relationship in case an opportunity arises in a future transfer window.
Ali Barat Touring Europe with Transfer Talks
Agent Ali Barat is currently traveling across Europe, meeting with sporting directors of several elite clubs. His goal is to assess the transfer market and discuss the status of players in his portfolio before the end of July. Barcelona was one of several stops on his schedule.
Although the likelihood of a return for Xavi Simons this summer remains slim, Barça’s leadership is clearly keeping long-term options open. If the financial situation improves or Simons’ price drops, this reunion could once again become a real possibility.
