Chelsea’s pursuit of Alejandro Garnacho is reportedly being held up due to the club not yet finding a permanent home for Christopher Nkunku.

After missing training in pre-season because of the speculation, Simons returned to the Leipzig team at the weekend to score a goal and create another in a 4–2 victory over Sandhausen in the DFB-Pokal, after which Schäfer fired a message to the teams chasing Simons’s signature.

Chelsea have been warned that the current conditions of a move for a Bundesliga star will not allow them to sign him

RB Leipzig's Xavi Simons has told the club that he only wants a transfer to Chelsea, despite interest from Bayern and Man City, sources have told ESPN.

Xavi Simons has rejected Bayern Munich and Manchester City's interest as the Dutch midfielder only has his eyes on a move to Chelsea this summer. Bayern considered Simons as a perfect replacement for Kingsley Coman,

Chelsea appear close to signing 22-year-old Xavi Simons, who left PSG earlier this year, though Manchester City are reportedly also interested in the Dutch midfielder. Regardless of his destination,

Chelsea want Xavi Simons – a player apparently also on Bayern’s radar – and the possible sale of Nkunku could help fund a move for the Netherlands international. The reporter suggests Chelsea are expecting a fee of around €40 million (£34.5m) plus add ons for Nkunku.