Xavi Simons signs for Tottenham from RB Leipzig
Tottenham Hotspur has announced the signing of RB Leipzig's Xavi Simons in a reported £52 million ($107.3 million) deal.
Simons was reportedly of interest to Tottenham's London rival Chelsea earlier in the transfer window, but he has opted to join last season's UEFA Europa League champion.
Chelsea is believed to have held talks with the Netherlands international, but did not pursue a deal as it nears closer to a £40 million ($82.5 million) swoop for Alejandro Garnacho.
Simons's arrival at Spurs has ended the club's search for an attacking midfielder, having failed to get deals over the line for Morgan Gibbs-White and Eberechi Eze.
Simons spent one-and-a-half years on loan at Leipzig from Paris Saint-Germain before completing a permanent switch to the Bundesliga side in January.
Seven months after his rumoured €50 million ($103.2 million) transfer, Simons informed Leipzig of his decision to leave after the club failed to qualify for the UEFA Champions League this season.
"I'm really happy and can't wait to get going. I've been dreaming of this for a long time," Simons said.
"It's a great club and when I met the head coach I knew straight away that this was the right place for me.
"I will bring flair to the team, but also hard work and discipline. I want to do everything I can to win, for the team and also for the fans."
The midfielder made 78 appearances for Leipzig across all competitions, scoring 22 goals and providing 22 assists for his team-mates.
Indeed, since first signing for the club on loan, no Leipzig player has created more chances in all competitions than Simons (174).
Simons becomes Tottenham's seventh summer acquisition, with the Dutchman joining the likes of Mohammed Kudus, Mathys Tel and Joao Palhinha in north London.
"I'm really pleased we have brought Xavi in - he is a great addition to the squad," Spurs boss Thomas Frank said.
"He is still young. However, he already has good experience and, over the past few years, has played a lot of games at the top level.
"Xavi has proven his ability to get goals and assists, both from the No 10 position and left-wing.
"He also has a great eye for his team-mates in terms of unlocking defences, and I know he will come in and be part of a good team that is already working hard together."
