Manchester United strike on both fronts in January! The midfield target is locked, the asking price is 50 million, and Barca and other 3 giants compete
In the summer window this year, Ten Hag continued to receive strong support from Manchester United's senior management, bringing in three midfielders in succession: Mason Mount, Onana and Helund. In addition, Amrabat, a veteran of Ten Hag's time in charge of the Eredivisie, was loaned, with a total investment of nearly 200 million euros. But such a drastic reinforcement has not taken Manchester United's results to the next level, but has shown signs of collapse. Having lost six of his first 10 games, ten Hag would have been surrounded by the sound of class this international break if it weren't for Scott McTominay's two-game streak in stoppage time.
The record is shaky, and news of signings will definitely appear. In recent times, Manchester United have been frequently involved in scandals with central defenders, such as Antonio Silva of Benfica, Towersoba of Bayer Leverkusen, Inacio of Portuguese Sport and so on. Recently, another midfielder has been linked with Manchester United, he is Xavi Simmons, who is currently on loan to RB Leipzig by Greater Paris.
It is reported that Ten Hag has shown a strong interest in Harvey Simmons. The introduction of Simmons will be a significant investment for Manchester United, with his youth and potential making him a future midfield nucleus and capable of transforming the team's attacking efficiency. Ten Hag hopes to enhance the creativity of the team's midfield by bringing him in and solve the current difficulties in breaking through a solid defense. Manchester United will face hefty demands from Paris Saint-Germain, who may reportedly have to pay a transfer fee of €50 million. In addition, Manchester United will face competition from Chelsea. Whether Simmons ends up joining Manchester United or Chelsea, it will be a notable signing.
As mentioned in the media, Manchester United today does not have much to do in the face of the "iron barrel formation" posed by the opponent, such problems have always existed, but this season due to the instability of the defensive line. In the case of the game against Brentford, United always had the advantage in possession, but failed to attack many times. After Casemiro conceded a 26th-minute pass error, Brentford were more determined to follow the strategy of counter-attack. United had 21 shots on goal in the game, only to be beaten out by Scott McTominay's two goals in stoppage time.
Manchester United's mid-range opponents will continue to pose in the "iron barrel formation", but such a final match is unlikely to occur often. The only way to change this situation is to continue to increase the creativity of the midfield from its own point of view.
Xavi Simmons came through Barca's La Masia Academy and was exempted from a visa to Paris in the summer of '19. Xavi Simmons has excellent technical proficiency, excellent ball control and ability to maintain control of the ball at high speeds. He has a delicate sense of the ball, excellent ball handling skills, and is able to complete superb dribbling and passing moves in tight spaces.
In addition, Harvey Simmons has excellent vision and creativity. He is able to accurately judge the situation on the field during the game and make sound decisions. He excels at delivering key passes to his teammates, creating chances and an offensive advantage for the team. Simmons showed good positional sense and tactical awareness on the field. He was able to quickly find the best position to deliver key passes to his teammates. Xavi Simmons also has excellent goalscoring ability, he can score brilliant goals in the game and can play an important role on both the offensive and defensive ends.
Last season, Xavi Simmons started all 34 games for PSV Eindhoven, scoring 19 goals and assisting eight times. Loaned to RB Leipzig this season, he started all his first seven games, scoring three goals and four assists, and has attracted the attention of many giants, including his old club Barcelona and Manchester City.
Xavi Simmons is currently worth 40 million euros, and the asking price of 50 million in Paris is actually very reasonable. For Ten Hag, being able to pass and shoot, and being a Dutch player, are factors that make him interested in Xavi Simmons.
But this deal is not easy to complete in the winter window, on the one hand, Harvey Simmons' contract does not mention the early termination of the loan, so RB Leipzig is unlikely to be willing to release Harvey Simmons early; On the other hand, it is doubtful that Grand Paris is really willing to sell Harvey Simmons. Paris did not include a buyout clause in the player's contract and rejected RB Leipzig's request to extend his loan. This shows that Paris is most likely hoping to let Xavi Simmons go up and recall it for their own use in the future.
In short, Ten Hag's interest in Xavi Simmons is a high probability event, but a winter window transfer is unlikely, and we will wait and see.