With the transfer window in full swing, speculation will continue for weeks on which players will come and go. The hottest issue at PSV is whether Xavi Simons will stay in Eindhoven or whether he will leave for Paris after all. Trainer Peter Bosz and technical director Earnest Stewart have already spoken frequently with the attacking midfielder and are optimistic.
Simons made an impression last season and became top scorer in the Eredivisie in his first season with PSV. He seems to be turning down interest from big clubs from England, but one clause keeps buzzing.
General manager Marcel Brands initially said that Paris Saint-Germain had a buyback clause of 12 million euros, but it later turned out that it was only 6 million. One advantage in this clause is that the Xavi can decide for himself.
“I have indicated that I would like to keep him with the group, but also what he can improve”
And so PSV is in full talks with Simons to extend his contract and more importantly: to remove the clause from the contract. The new trainer Peter Bosz also spoke with the midfielder.
“That was a good conversation. Then he went on vacation. The contact has remained that way.” During the conversation, the trainer discussed several topics. “I have indicated that I would like to keep him with the group, but also what he can improve.”
Yet Bosz also knows that he cannot perform miracles. “The choice is up to the player. I can tell you what my plans are. But he decides what to do.”
“There is one thing that can ensure that he leaves here quickly, but otherwise we have full control”
Earnest Stewart was in talks with the player and his management. But the player recently changed agents. As a result, the conversations had to ‘sort of’ start again. “Xavi has developed rapidly. But he is a boy who is very conscious about his career. We also see this in the conversations. Only the buyback clause can ensure that he leaves here quickly, but otherwise we have full control.”
Still, it will remain exciting around the star player for a long time to come. There will be plenty of rumors about other players, but the biggest profit PSV can make this transfer window is the retention of Simons. He must become one of the building blocks that helps the Eindhoven club to the championship.