Chelsea get key Xavi Simons transfer update before Crystal Palace as £43m Man City plan revealed

Chelsea have been given a much-needed boost to their hopes of signing Xavi Simons. The RB Leipzig attacking midfielder has been heavily linked with a move to Stamford Bridge this summer as Enzo Maresca looks to bolster his attacking options.

football.london understands that the Blues are still in talks with the Bundesliga outfit over the complicated transfer of Simons. Earlier this month, there was still an expectation and confidence that the west Londoners would eventually secure the Netherlands international's signature.

While Leipzig have been working hard to replace Benjamin Sesko, signing Rômulo from Göztepe, Chelsea have been looking to offload a few players. It's understood that Manchester City made their own interest in Simons clear, casting doubt over a move to Stamford Bridge.

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With Savinho facing an uncertain future at the Etihad Stadium and Jack Grealish joining Everton on loan, the Dutchman emerged as a potential target. However, fortunately for Maresca, Pep Guardiola has reportedly turned his attention to Rodrygo.

According to Fabrizio Romano on his , Simons is only currently in talks with the Club World Cup champions. The journalist said: "Man City tried to hijack the deal for Xavi Simons.

"For Man City, it's very clear. Savinho can stay. If Savinho leaves and goes to Tottenham, Rodrygo is the target. So that's the story. Xavi Simons, at the moment, is negotiating with Chelsea – not with Manchester City."

Guardiola provided an update on Savinho, who Transfermarkt value at £43m. Speaking to reporters ahead of Man City's clash against Wolves, the Spaniard said: "Whether it's Tottenham in that case or any other club, a player should call the club.

"I am only concerned right now that Savinho will be with us for the rest of the season, and hopefully many years because at 21, with the potential he has, he has to improve in final positions – but he is an extraordinary player."

Guardiola added: "Otherwise, he would not have played more than 3,000 minutes last season. At the end, as always, the desire of the players is above everything but then they have to find an agreement with the club. If they don't take an agreement, the player will be here because the club spends money on those players."

Meanwhile, ahead of Spurs' clash against Burnley, Thomas Frank outlined his plans for the remainder of the transfer window. The Tottenham boss said: "First and foremost, in many ways, I’m very happy with the squad.

"I think there’s a lot of good players. I think we saw a team that was very, very, very competitive, and on any other day we would have beaten the best team in Europe. Of course, we want as strong and competitive squad as possible.

"I know that Daniel (Levy), Johan (Lange) and Vinai (Venkatesham) are working night and day, and they have, by the way, been working night and day the last, whatever, six, seven, eight weeks. They definitely would like to do deals early. Sometimes, I think we need to understand it’s not that easy, but they’re working."

Frank added: "We are looking, of course, in the market, not only for the 10 positions but just to see if we can strengthen the squad and the players we're looking at are the only players we think can improve the squad, and I think that's the right thing we want to do. If we can pick the right player and if it fits, then we'll do something.