Report: Liverpool Weighing Up £60m ‘More accessible' Wirtz Alternative

Yahoo

21-05-2025

Xavi Simons: The £60m Catalyst Liverpool Might Need
Simons Steps Into Liverpool's Spotlight
As Liverpool look set for a busy summer, it's telling that one of the first marquee names linked to Anfield is Xavi Simons. According to TEAMtalk, the Dutch international is firmly on the club's radar, with sources suggesting that both Liverpool and Simons are open to exploratory talks.
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His profile certainly stands out. Eleven goals and eight assists in 33 games for RB Leipzig underline not just output but consistency. That he has achieved this in the Bundesliga, often playing across various attacking roles, only adds weight to his rising value.
Photo: IMAGO
With Florian Wirtz seemingly Bayern-bound and priced beyond Liverpool's comfort zone, Simons emerges as a more strategic and cost-effective alternative. His £60m fee feels like a shrewd investment rather than an extravagant gamble, particularly when viewed through the lens of Slot's need to reinvigorate Liverpool's attacking layers.
Slot's System and Simons's Skillset Align
'Simons ticks numerous boxes for Arne Slot's side,' TEAMtalk reported, and it's easy to see why. Slot's Feyenoord sides thrived on positional flexibility, pressing structure and creative incision. Simons is all of those things: adaptable, intelligent and industrious.
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TEAMtalk suggest 'Liverpool manager Slot is an admirer of Simons's technical quality and maturity.' That admiration will likely be reciprocated. Both share Dutch roots, and both come from systems where work ethic and spatial understanding are non-negotiables.
Simons's ability to function as a winger, attacking midfielder or even in a more withdrawn midfield role speaks to a footballing IQ that belies his age. He's not just filling gaps – he's shaping games.
Financial Prudence and Strategic Fit
At £60m, Simons is far more accessible than Wirtz. The article notes that Leipzig are open to selling if the valuation is met. It's a crucial detail. Liverpool have become increasingly selective with their major outlays, preferring players who offer immediate impact and future resale value.
Interest Beyond Anfield
It's worth noting, as TEAMtalk does, that another top Premier League club is also circling. Simons is 'keen to talk to interested parties, including Liverpool,' which signals a player aware of his stock but measured in his ambition. The sense is he wants a project where his qualities are amplified rather than diluted.
Our View – Anfield Index Analysis
From a fan perspective, this feels like the type of smart, forward-looking move Liverpool should be making. Xavi Simons isn't just another name on the carousel of summer targets – he's a player with real trajectory, both technically and tactically.
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The £60m fee seems manageable given the going rates in the modern market, especially when the alternative – Wirtz – would cost nearly double and is likely Bayern-bound. What makes Simons particularly intriguing is how well he fits into Arne Slot's Liverpool.
Simons could thrive alongside Szoboszlai and Salah, giving Liverpool multiple creative outlets across the midfield and forward lines.
This isn't about replacing what's lost but enhancing what already exists. If Liverpool can move quickly and decisively, they may well secure a player who could define their next chapter.