Guardiola 'In Love' With PSG Teenage Sensation, Wants Him At Manchester City: Report

KEY POINTS

Xavi Simons' current deal with PSG is due to expire in 2022 summer
He wants to leave PSG due to lack of game time
He has played only twice with PSG's first team so far

Manchester City boss Pep Guardiola is reportedly in love with Paris Saint-Germain (PSG) midfielder Xavi Simons.

Simons’ current deal with PSG is due to expire at the end of the 2021-22 season. Manchester City do not want to miss an opportunity to sign the teenage sensation and are plotting a way to convince the midfielder to move to Etihad in the upcoming summer, reported Spanish publication Fichajes. The Premier League club is expected to wait till the summer to land the young midfielder for free.

The 18-year-old Simons rose through the ranks of Barcelona’s La Masia academy before moving to PSG in 2019 after he failed to reach an agreement with the Catalans over an extension. Simons has played only twice for PSG’s first-team. One of those appearances came in Ligue 1 and the other in Coupe De France and both the games took place last campaign.

Due to lack of game time at PSG, Simons is looking to leave Paris and is open to returning to Camp Nou. Simons has been on Barcelona’s target list even before the appointment of Xavi Hernandez as their new head coach, according to Spanish media outlet Cardena SER. Barcelona president Joan Laporta is believed to be more than happy to welcome Simons back.

The report has also claimed that Hernandez, who is set to make his debut as Barcelona’s head coach this weekend, is keen on signing Simons and the former Al-Sadd boss could play a key role in the re-signing of the teen midfielder next summer.

PSG, who recently signed Lionel Messi, Georginio Wijnaldum, Gianluigi Donnarumma, Nuno Mendes, Achraf Hakimi, have always prefered big-money investments with an aim of winning the UEFA Champions League. That leaves their academy players with very little or no opportunities and Simons is just another case.

PSG players celebrate after scoring in their 3-2 win over Strasbourg — PSG are at the top of the 2021-22 Ligue 1 table at present. AFP / Bertrand GUAY

The Amsterdam-born midfielder, Simons, is represented by super agent Mino Raiola, who has made it very clear to PSG chiefs Leonardo and Al Khelaïfï that his client will only sign an extension if he is given assurance of more game time. However, PSG have refused to do so and Simons has been away from the senior side despite shining in the UEFA Youth League.