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.
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."
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 Euro’s 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.
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 heroes 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.
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.”