CHELSEA target Xavi Simons missed RB Leipzig’s latest training session as move to the Premier League edges closer.
Simons, 22, is wanted by the Club World Cup champions and a verbal agreement is reportedly close to being struck.
GettyXavi Simons missed RB Leipzig training to push forward a move to Chelsea[/caption]
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The German club are demanding a fee of £60million and Chelsea are readying their first official bid.
Simons, 22, was absent from training on Friday and is said to have complained of neck pain.
The winger is now set to miss Leipzig’s pre-season friendly against Serie A side Atalanta on Saturday.
The Dutchman also removed reference to Leipzig in his Instagram profile in what was seen as a sign he was determined to force a move to Chelsea sooner rather than later.
German media outlet Bild is now asking whether Simons will ever play for the club again.
Leipzig are under the cosh with Newcastle and Manchester United tussling over their striker Benjamin Sesko.
Man Utd were thought to be the frontrunners, but Newcastle are ready to pay the £70million Leipzig want, with Alexander Isak wanting a move to Liverpool either now or in the future.
Reports in Slovenia say Sesko now prefers a move to Newcastle, but no decision has been confirmed.
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Simons will have to compete with a massive squad if he were to push through a move to Stamford Bridge.
The Blues have already signed Jamie Gittens from Borussia Dortmund for £48.5million plus the potential for a further £3.5m in add-ons.
Brazilian winger Estêvão will also land at Cobham a year after agreeing to join, while 18-year-old attacking midfielder Kendry Páez arrives too.
So Chelsea, who cashed in on Joao Felix’s move to Saudi, reportedly need to get more players off the books before they can complete the deal for Simons.
Christopher Nkunku, Armando Broja, Tyrique George and Carney Chukwuemeka have all been offered as makeweights to the Bundesliga club.
But Leipzig do not want any of their stars and would prefer a straight-up £60m fee.
Simons is said to be working with agent Ali Barat, who has close ties to Chelsea.
Chelsea meanwhile are on the verge of confirming Ajax defender Jorrel Hato for an initial fee of £37million.
Enzo Maresca’s side have already forked out £90million combined for strikers Liam Delap and Joao Pedro.
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