Chelsea suffer huge setback in bid to seal latest transfer target

Chelsea’s hopes of landing Xavi Simons have been dented by RB Leipzig’s lack of appetite for a swap deal, latest report have claim.

Dutch star Simons has long been linked with a Premier League switch – with some of Chelsea’s rivals previously exploring a deal – and Leipzig’s failure to qualify for Europe could finally see him leave.

Chelsea’s return to the Champions League have seen them strengthen their club this summer. Estevao Willian has finally completed his move from Palmeiras, while Liam Delap and Joao Pedro have arrived to bolster the attack.

Meanwhile, Simons might be moving elsewhere with Chelsea failing to meet Leipzig requirements.

Xavi Simons of RB Leipzig has been heavily linked with a summer move to Chelsea. (Photo by Maja Hitij/Getty Images)

Chelsea are understood to have offered four players to the German club as part of a deal for Simons. One of those is Christopher Nkunku, who starred in Leipzig before his injury-hit spell in West London.

Other reported options include Tyrique George, Armando Broja and Carney Chukwuemeka. However, according to The Sun, none of them are of interest to Ole Werner’s side.

Simons, 22, spent time with PSV Eindhoven and Paris Saint-Germain before joining Leipzig – first on loan and then permanently. He finished last season with 10 goals and seven assists in the Bundesliga, but his club narrowly missed out on a European spot after finishing seventh.

Chelsea have spent more than £200m on new players, with Jamie Gittens another big-money Bundesliga star to arrive after completing his move from Borussia Dortmund, while they have also recouped nine figures through sales.

Noni Madueke’s £48m move to Arsenal was among the highest-profile of the departures, with Joao Felix and Djordje Petrovic also fetching substantial fees.

The Blues are still willing to sanction the sales of some players with the likes of Raheem Sterling still looking for a new team.

There could be further arrivals even if Simons stays put. Paris Saint-Germain goalkeeper Gianluigi Donnarumma has been linked amid uncertainty over his future.

Chelsea are going into the season as one of the big teams in Europe. Their Club World Cup triumph prove they are not an underdog.

Ahead of their Premier League opener against Crystal Palace on August 17, Chelsea will face Bayer Leverkusen and AC Milan for pre-season action next weekend.