Manchester United are considering a loan move for Dutch attacker Xavi Simons, and Erik ten Hag has already shared his thoughts on the PSG player.
United are in their first summer transfer window under the new INEOS minority ownership, with Sir Jim Ratcliffe now controlling over 25% of the club and having full authority over transfers and football operations following a takeover earlier this year.
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Despite United’s FA Cup final victory over Manchester City, Ten Hag’s future was uncertain due to the club’s worst Premier League finish, ending the season in eighth place.
After a strategic review, United decided to retain Ten Hag and recently extended his contract until the summer of 2026.
With the management issue settled, the focus has shifted to strengthening the squad, and several transfer deals are reportedly close to completion.
Striker Joshua Zirkzee has undergone a medical after United agreed to a reported £33.7m fee with Bologna for the Dutch international, who seems poised to become the club’s first summer signing.
Additionally, United are said to have agreed on personal terms with Bayern Munich defender Matthijs de Ligt, with the German club seeking around £42m for the centre-back.
Another potential addition to United’s squad is Netherlands and PSG attacker Simons, who scored in the Dutch team’s Euro 2024 semi-final defeat to England.
According to the Mirror, United are considering a loan move for Simons, with PSG reportedly open to the deal but only with an obligation to buy him next summer.
Ten Hag seems to be a fan of Simons, based on his recent comments about the 21-year-old and his performance against England.
He said: “I enjoyed Xavi Simons in that game. The drive he has, the passion with which he conquers balls and recognises situations are top.
“His enormous drive as well. That is almost un-Dutch.
“I think you can see that he was trained abroad. He almost has a southern European doggedness in his game.”
Ten Hag’s reference to Simons’ training abroad pertains to his development in Barcelona’s youth system before being acquired by PSG in 2019. Simons spent last season on loan at RB Leipzig.