'Arteta likes': Journalist says 'lots of talk' Arsenal want 'very talented' 20-year-old

Charles Watts has weighed in on Arsenal’s transfer interest in Dutch football’s rising star Xavi Simons after his standout campaign for PSV Eindhoven.

The 20-year-old is one of the best youngsters in world football today and he has caught the eye of Premier League title-chasing Arsenal.

Last summer, Xavi Simons swapped the colours of PSG for PSV, with transfer expert Charles Watts claiming that the French club have a ‘buy-back’ option on the player, but he is someone who has ‘versatility that Mikel Arteta likes’, as he told Inside Arsenal.

A player who can operate across the front three, as well as being able to attack from the middle, Simons is your typical Dutch technician.

Over the course of the season, he has netted 22 goals in all competitions for a PSV side that won the Dutch Cup under the legendary striker Ruud van Nistelrooy, who has since left the club.

It’s not just Simons’ eye for a goal that is probably catching the eye, his ball-carrying ability and skill set to cause problems without entering the penalty box are probably other factors, with Watts sharing his thoughts on the player.

“Xavi Simons is being linked heavily, at the moment,” said Watts. “Lots of talk about him. I keep seeing his name pop up.

“He’s a very talented player. I was really impressed when Arsenal played against him for PSV in the Europa League. He caused Arsenal plenty of problems, in the away game especially.

“He has 22 goals and 12 assists in all competitions for PSV this season. Really impressive. A versatile player, which you look at and think Arteta likes – Arsenal are pretty stocked on the left. If they need someone this summer, in terms of another wide player, it’s someone who plays on the right and can cover Saka. Maybe Arteta believes he can do that. He can also play in central areas, so he does have that versatility that Arteta likes.

“He’s very, very young. He wouldn’t be cheap. And there is the issue that PSG have a buy-back option, which isn’t that much, which is about £10 million or something.”

Simons would add to Arsenal’s young talent pool

Simons could have easily stayed at PSG and continued to warm the bench at a club stacked with star-studded names from Lionel Messi to Kylian Mbappe.

But he decided to park that to one side, think about his own future, develop it and he is now in a much better position than he was 12 months ago.

If he decides to leave again, then signing for a club like Arsenal would be a wise move because they are back in the Champions League, challenging for the title and also have a manager that can be trusted to help develop his game.

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