XAVI SIMONS faces a big decision over his future now he is out of the Euros – with Manchester United hot on his heels.
The talented Dutchman, whose stunner opened the scoring in Wednesday’s 2-1 semi-final defeat to England, spent this term on loan from Paris Saint-Germain at RB Leipzig.
Leipzig are among a trio of clubs showing strong interest along with fellow Germans Bayern Munich and United.
PSG are yet to decide on Simons’ future but given the 21-year-old is eager for consistent game-time, there is a good chance he departs the Parc de Princes this summer.
It will depend on whether boss Luis Enrique wants to make him a regular – but with a vast array of attacking talent at the Spaniard’s disposal, and more expected to arrive this summer, that is in doubt.
Any exit would almost certainly be a loan at first, with an obligation to buy, as there is understood to be a hefty sell-on clause for former club PSV Eindhoven which expires at the end of 2024.
PSG re-signed Simons from PSV in 2023 for £5million but would be looking for around £70m to let him go now given his rapid improvement this term.
United are also in for two other members of the Netherlands squad as they pursue deals for Matthijs de Ligt and Joshua Zirkzee.
Bologna’s Zirkzee is on his way to Old Trafford in a £34million deal.
The striker is set to have a medical today ahead of agreeing a five year contract.
The 6ft 4” forward made his debut for Holland during the Euros in their 2-1 quarter-final win over Turkey.
And in Wednesday night’s semi-final he came on just before Ollie Watkins fired the 90th minute winner for England.
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Three Lions and Red Devils midfielder Kobbie Mainoo seemed to be giving him an early welcome to his new club as they spoke after the final whistle.
The 23-year-old will put that disappointment of that defeat behind him with his move from Bologna.
He helped them to fifth in Serie A last season and into the Champions League with 11 goals in 34 Serie A games.
He will be working now under one of the United’s greatest ever goalscorers after the club officially confirmed the return of Ruud van Nistelrooy to Old Trafford as part of Erik ten Hag’s new coaching team.
Van Nistelrooy joins former Go Ahead Eagles coach Rene Hake as his assistants with Mitchell van der Gaag and Benni McCarthy out.
Van Nistelrooy is sure to get a hero’s reception from the United faithful having scored 150 goals in 219 games between 2001 and 2006 winning the Premier League and an FA Cup.
Meanwhile, talks are ongoing to sign De Ligt from Bayern Munich.
The defender is keen to complete the move quickly and has told his current club to seal the transfer.
Simons hit ten goals in 43 appearances on loan at Leipzig this season, before helping the Dutch to the semi-final in Germany.
His three assists at the Euros is a tournament-high, level with Spanish wonderkid Lamine Yamal.
While Simons showed his lethal finishing ability with his fine finish from just outside the area inside the first seven minutes in Dortmund on Wednesday night, even if ultimately it led to nothing as Harry Kane’s penalty and Ollie Watkins’ last-gasp cracker sent England through.
Simons’ national coach Ronald Koeman is expecting the attacking midfielder to shine for “a big club in the future” – whether that be with PSG or another of Europe’s elite.
The former Everton boss, 61, said: “Xavi played well. He was dangerous, he scored a great goal, he had offensive movements.
“He’s always working hard and sometimes we expect too much from a young player. He will have a great future for a big club in the future.”
Watkins’ late strike was a bitter pill for Koeman’s side to swallow.
But Simons still feels it is a case of the future’s bright, the future is Oranje for the Netherlands’ emerging team.
He said: “It’s tough, this defeat. I’m really disappointed, I think the team are as well.
“But this is the start of a journey that’s going to be really bright. I’m proud of the team.
“For most of the game we were compact, waiting for them to make a mistake. We had chances to finish them [off], but at the end we were a little bit tired.”
Dutch goalkeeper Bart Verbruggen dived the right way for Kane’s early spot-kick but could not keep it out as the England captain levelled the scores on 18 minutes.
The Brighton stopper, 21, added: “He did exactly what we thought he would. I was close. But it was a very good penalty kick, so all credit to Kane.”
Reflecting on the crushing defeat, Verbruggen added: “I’m just feeling a bit empty. The dream fell apart.”
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England ratings vs Holland
ENGLAND stormed into the final against Spain thanks to Ollie Watkins’ last-minute strike in the 2-1 win over Holland.
It was a brilliant team performance, but how did each player rate?
SunSport’s Tom Barclay ran the rule over Southgate’s boys, and here’s how he rated them.
Jordan Pickford: 7
Bigger goalkeepers may have got a stronger hand to Xavi Simons’ early stunner – though that was being hypercritical. Solid stop to deny Virgil van Dijk after the hour.
Kyle Walker: 7
Looked re-energised after some lumbering displays and bombed on at times in the first half, despite his role on the right of a back three. Last-ditch tackle on Cody Gakpo was spot on.
John Stones: 7
Strong in possession. He looks to have benefited from regular game-time after rarely featuring for Manchester City in the last few months.
Marc Guehi: 6
Came back into the side after suspension ruled him out of the Switzerland game. Had an unenviable task of making the big man Wout Weghorst after the break.
Bukayo Saka: 7
Razor-sharp in the first half, winning tackles, making runs and dribbling the ball proficiently. Less of an impact after the break, had a goal ruled out for offside and was booked.
Declan Rice: 6
Lost possession for Simons’ thunderous opener but grew into the game, mopping up where necessary. Poor pass when Kane was open midway through the second half.
Kobbie Mainoo: 8
Was England’s youngest-ever player to play in a major-tournament semi-final, aged 19years 82 days, and had a stormer in the first half. Great bursts forward, vital tackles, and his interplay with Foden was a joy.
Kieran Trippier: 6
We all know by now that he is playing out of position, so again he was limited going forward and reliable defensively. Subbed at half-time for the more natural Shaw.
Phil Foden: 7
The first 45 minutes was by far and away his best half of the tournament. Thought he’d scored when his shot was cleared off the line by Denzel Dumfries, and cracked the post with a cracker. But was then surprisingly subbed.
Jude Bellingham: 5
Back at the ground where he made his name but struggled to make much of an impact on his old stomping ground. Fortunate it was not he that was subbed.
Harry Kane: 6
Won and dispatched the penalty to go joint top-scorer in the tournament with three goals. Had looked more mobile initially but still tired badly after the break and was taken off.
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Luke Shaw (for Kieran Trippier, half-time): 6
Looked assured for a man who has been out for so long.
Ollie Watkins (for Harry Kane, 81): 9 and STAR MAN
Surprisingly given the nod over Ivan Toney as striker sub as Southgate looked for more pace in behind. Brilliant finish into the corner to win the game – you could not ask more from him.
Cole Palmer (for Phil Foden, 81): 7
Had his big chance in the final minutes but shanked it horribly wide – but then fed Watkins for his wonderful winner.
Gareth Southgate: 8
His switch to a back three against Switzerland helped dig out the win there, and here it had his team finally playing some great football in the first half. The team went into their shells again as the game wore on and you feared the worst – but you have to say his decision to bring on Ollie Watkins was a masterstroke.