Liverpool to ‘Hold Talks’ with Jurgen Klopp Over £67m Summer
[]Liverpool’s summer transfer plans are beginning to take a sharper focus as the Florian Wirtz smokescreen begins to clear. Despite weeks of speculation suggesting a potential Anfield switch for the Bayer Leverkusen star, Rousing The Kop reports that the Reds are “not currently planning for the arrival of Florian Wirtz.” Though admiration for the 22-year-old remains, the competition from Manchester City and Bayern Munich has rendered the move unlikely.
[]That shift in direction has seen Liverpool’s recruitment team pivot decisively towards more attainable but equally exciting creative options. Chief among them? Xavi Simons.
Simons Under the Microscope
[]According to Rousing The Kop, “Liverpool are understood to have been doing intensive background checks on the Dutchman as he prepares to leave RB Leipzig.” The former PSG talent is widely regarded as one of the most technically gifted young midfielders in Europe and has caught the eye with his electric pace, vision, and versatility across the attacking third.
[]Still just 21, Simons has already built a rapport with key Liverpool figures such as Virgil van Dijk, Ryan Gravenberch and Cody Gakpo while on Netherlands duty. It’s believed that Liverpool have leaned on Gravenberch specifically “to paint a portrait of the 21-year-old’s character,” as the club look to ensure any move aligns with their cultural and tactical framework.
Photo: IMAGO []Simons, currently on loan at RB Leipzig from PSG, is set to return to the French giants this summer—but with a desire to secure regular football, his future looks open-ended. Liverpool are known to be proactive, and with Jurgen Klopp now at Red Bull, the Reds are reportedly “prepared to seek the legendary former Liverpool manager’s advice” to further gauge Simons’ fit.
Not Just Simons on the Radar
[]While Simons has emerged as the leading name, Liverpool are not short on creative midfield options. As Rousing The Kop outlines, the Reds are also admirers of Aston Villa’s Morgan Rogers—another exciting English talent. However, prising Rogers from Villa Park appears to be a tough task, with the Birmingham club hesitant to sell amid only limited PSR pressures.
[]The Reds are also understood to be tracking Nottingham Forest’s Morgan Gibbs-White and Lyon’s Rayan Cherki. Yet it’s Simons who feels like the most natural fit—both in terms of style and availability.
Photo: IMAGO []Cherki, for all his flair, is not seen as someone who would “immediately improve the Reds’ starting XI,” while Gibbs-White’s status at Forest remains uncertain, making Simons the most strategically sensible and technically thrilling option.
Slot’s System Suits Simons
[]With Arne Slot now in charge and fresh off a title-winning campaign, his tactical fluidity and emphasis on creative midfield transitions align well with Simons’ profile. Slot’s systems often depend on a dual-10 setup or inverted wingers—roles Simons has thrived in at both PSV and Leipzig. His ability to play between the lines, carry the ball through tight spaces, and unlock defences is precisely what Liverpool are seeking, especially in light of Trent Alexander-Arnold’s likely departure and the creativity vacuum it leaves behind.
Our View – Anfield Index Analysis
[]There’s something incredibly exciting about the prospect of Xavi Simons in red.
[]He’s not just a stop-gap for losing Trent’s creative output—he’s potentially a long-term attacking lynchpin. Watching him at RB Leipzig this season, he’s been nothing short of sensational at times. Agile, inventive and fearless, Simons brings an unpredictability Liverpool have occasionally lacked when faced with deep blocks.
[]What makes this move feel even more promising is how naturally he could integrate. Slot knows how to manage technical players and get the best out of those operating between the lines. Simons already has chemistry with van Dijk, Gakpo and Gravenberch—and that camaraderie can’t be underestimated.
[]And let’s not forget the off-field message a signing like this would send. After winning the Premier League under a new manager, Liverpool showing intent by signing one of Europe’s most exciting young midfielders would signal that this is not a one-off success—it’s the start of something. This would be a statement signing, full stop.
[]If Liverpool can land Xavi Simons, it might just be the most significant piece of business they do all summer.
<![CDATA[ function insertAfter(e, t) { t.parentNode.insertBefore(e, t.nextSibling) } function getElementByXPath(e, t) { if (!t) t = document; if (t.evaluate) return t.evaluate(e, document, null, 9, null).singleNodeValue; while (e.charAt(0) == "/") e = e.substr(1); var n = t; var r = e.split("/"); for (var i = 0; i > 0; if (typeof e != “function”) { throw new TypeError } var n = []; var r = arguments[1]; for (var i = 0; i []”; n.innerHTML = “window._taboola = window._taboola || [];_taboola.push({mode:’alternating-thumbnails-a’, container:’taboola-below-article-thumbnails’, placement:’Below Article Thumbnails’, target_type: ‘mix’});”; insertAfter(t, e); insertAfter(n, t) } injectWidgetByMarker(‘tbmarker’);