Xavi Simons has been Rangers most exciting transfer rumour in recent years, Aaron Ramsey was a coup, but we all know how that turned out.
The 20-year old Dutch international has been spoilt in his upbringing, enjoying the surroundings of La Masia in his formative years before moving to PSG.
Training with Neymar, Lionel Messi and Kylian Mbappe isn’t a bad way to learn your craft even if he did spend most of his time watching them from the bench.
When news of interest from Rangers emerged, it never seemed realistic, until he ended up at PSV Eindhoven, performing almost a full 180 flip given the expectation that he would sign a new deal in Paris.
Now though, as the Eredivisie’s joint-top goalscorer, it’s safe to say that Giovanni van Bronckhorst missed out on what would have been a sensational signing.
Simons’ form – 18 goals and 10 assists so far – has forced his way into the Netherlands senior side and manager Ronald Koeman has been impressed with the youngster.
For now, he might have to contend himself with a place on the left-wing, however, the pivotal number 10 role will belong to Simons eventually.
Speaking to Studio Voetbal, Dutch legend Koeman has backed his mercurial playmaker for bigger things but has given him advice on what he should do in his immediate future.
“I think Xavi is a boy who weighs up his choices very carefully. The most important thing is that he is playing, you develop the best that way. So, I think it’s good if he just stays with PSV for another year.”
Simons, linked with Man Utd, is already mooted for a return to PSG for £10.5m due a clause in his contract, and there will be many sporting directors – including our own that has since departed – that will be kicking themselves that they didn’t make more of an effort to sign him.
At such a young age, PSV will be hoping Simons heeds Koeman’s advice because, if their talisman named after a Barca legend continues his current rate of development, he’s only going to get better – and infinitely more valuable.
