Monday, April 18, 2022 at 09:51

Paris Saint-Germain is keen to extend Xavi Simons’ expiring contract. GOAL reports that keeping the eighteen-year-old midfielder is ‘top priority’ for les Parisiens, in addition to extending the partnership with Kylian Mbappé. If Simons agrees to a longer stay in Paris, he will make a 180-degree turn compared to a few months ago.

Due to the limited opportunities to play in the first team, the Dutchman would have doubted his stay in Paris, as reflected in French media. At the same time, Simons would not have been given playing time because of his expiring contract. That changed from mid-December, when trainer Mauricio Pochettino almost fixed the offensive midfielder in the A-selection. Since then, Simons has made his appearance in seven games.

At the beginning of March, Fabrizio Romano reported that Simons would have been presented with a much improved contract from PSG. However, no agreement has been reached, so that in principle Simons can still be picked up on a transfer-free basis next summer. Barcelona – where he played between 2010 and 2019 – would be a key candidate to take him over. Previously, reports of an imminent departure were bolstered by a ‘remarkable’ decision by Pochettino.

Simons was passed in the match selection for the Ligue 1 match against Clermont Foot (1-6 win). There would be no immediate reason to put the attacking midfielder in the stands and Pochettino – who until then invariably had a place in his match selection for Simons – did not come out with a statement himself. Simons’ management was reportedly not amused about the Argentine coach’s decision, which has sparked heated speculation about his near future.

Pochettino included Simons again on Sunday in his match selection for the duel with Olympique Marseille (2-1 win) and his contract extension is considered ‘top priority’ internally. Simons is part of a group that should serve as PSG’s ‘pillars of the future’. In addition to Simons, the contracts of other youthful talents Ishmael Gharbi, Ayman Kari and Warren-Zaire Emery are also a priority for renewal. Moreover, sporting director Leonardo is working hard to keep Mbappé on and to permanently attract Nuno Mendes, who has been hired from Sporting Portugal.