Xavi Simons on the verge of leaving RB Leipzig

Ahead of coach Ole Werner's Bundesliga home debut, everything at RB Leipzig revolves around playmaker Xavi Simons. The Dutchman traveled to London at short notice to negotiate with Tottenham Hotspur. Werner will probably have to adjust his plans for this Saturday's game (3.30pm/Sky) against 1. FC Heidenheim in midfield. "We'll see where the journey takes us. Nothing has happened yet," said Werner, who nevertheless has a contingency plan ready. "We have a clear idea."

However, "the first stone has to fall first", said the RB head coach with regard to an imminent Simons transfer. "We'll have to wait and see what happens, if anything happens." According to Sky, Tottenham are said to have made an initial offer to Leipzig.

RB have contingency plan for Simons

The Dutch international could play Champions League football for the Premier League club. Spurs have a need in the playmaker position after James Maddison tore his cruciate ligament at the beginning of August. Tottenham's preferred player Eberechi Eze moved to Arsenal, so Simons is available again. Xavi had turned down an initial request from Spurs as he only wanted to join Chelsea FC. But the club world champion is probably out of the running and is reorienting himself in midfield.

If Simons' transfer were to be finalized in the short term, the Saxons would react again on the transfer market. "We've already brought in players with prospects and made the odd advance. Of course, we always look to see if we can strengthen the squad again," said Werner. The hottest candidate would be Harvey Elliott from Liverpool FC. The 22-year-old was shaped by global RB soccer boss Jürgen Klopp himself.