‘Arne Slot pushing to sign Xavi Simons after £60m Liverpool reveal’
Arne Slot is pushing Liverpool to agree a deal for RB Leipzig star Xavi Simons when the summer transfer window opens.
That is according to former Man United and Blackburn chief scout Mick Brown, who remains very well-connected within the game, as he exclusively told Football Insider that the 22-year-old is one of the top targets at Anfield.
Slot is keen to link up with his fellow countryman, who he believes would be an ideal fit for his system and to improve his starting XI.
This comes after Football Insider revealed in February that Liverpool would have to pay £60million for Simons, who is capable of playing both in midfield and out wide.
Just six months after the Netherlands international made his move to RB Leipzig permanent, the Bundesliga outfit are believed to be willing to let him leave for the right price.
Meanwhile, former England goalkeeper Paul Robinson told Football Insider on 23 March that Liverpool could sign Simons to replace Luis Diaz, Cody Gakpo, or Diogo Jota.
Arne Slot eyes Xavi Simons swoop at Liverpool
Brown told Football Insider in February that Slot wants to sign a world-class forward to replace Diaz, and Simons has now emerged as a leading candidate.
The former scout, who has a wealth of experience in top-level player recruitment after over a decade at Man United during their most successful period, has insisted the manager is the driving force behind their pursuit of the midfielder.
“Liverpool are looking at a deal to sign Xavi Simons,” he told Football Insider.
“It’s always a positive when the manager knows a player well, and I believe he does here.
“He’s the real driving force behind the move and that’s important because he knows the way he plays, the positives and negatives to his game and what he would bring to the side.
“He’ll know where he would fit into his system, and believes he would be an upgrade on what they’ve got.
“Liverpool’s scouts will have had a look at him as well to back up the manager’s opinion.
“Liverpool have got to be careful because they’ve got a very good side who have won the league, and now they have to think ‘how do we get better?’
“It’s easy to say, but very difficult to do, you have to find the right options.
“If Slot is a fan of Simons and believes he would be the right fit, then I’m sure he’s a player they’ll go for.“
Eberechi Eze update emerges after Man United rejected
Alongside the addition of a versatile midfielder in Simons, the Reds are also eyeing potential alternatives including Crystal Palace star Eberechi Eze.
Brown told Football Insider on 28 April that Eze is prepared to reject Man United as he would prefer a move to Liverpool or Arsenal this summer.
Slot’s side have been long-term admirers of the Crystal Palace star after Football Insider revealed in October that Liverpool are interested in signing Eze.
Meanwhile, Brown told Football Insider that Liverpool want to sign Eze and have been keeping an eye on his performances this season.
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