Xavi Simons reveals 'secret' talks with former Chelsea star before £52m Tottenham transfer

Xavi Simons has explained why he chose to join Tottenham Hotspur. The former RB Leipzig maestro was heavily linked with a move to Chelsea for much of the summer, but the Lilywhites swooped in and secured his signature.

football.london understands that the Blues were in talks with the Bundesliga outfit regarding a potential deal for Simons for well over a month. However, negotiations ultimately proved rather complicated - with Chelsea looking to offload Christopher Nkunku before submitting an offer.

The west Londoners managed to eventually sell the 27-year-old forward - to AC Milan - but by then it was too late; Tottenham had already sensed an opportunity to finally sign a creative midfielder. It's understood that Spurs swiftly forked out €60m (£52m) for Simons, who went on to sign a five-year contract.

READ MORE: Mauricio Pochettino reveals Daniel Levy text after shock Tottenham Hotspur exit

READ MORE: Jose Mourinho could be set for dramatic Tottenham return after brutal sack decision

In an interview with the German newspaper Leipziger Volkszeitung, over the international break, the Dutchman explained why he decided to join Tottenham. As quoted by The Evening Standard, Simons said: "I'm happy to be a Tottenham player.

"Since I was a child, it's been my dream to play in the Premier League. The club's vision, the magnificent stadium, the fans, the quality of the team, the coach - it's a fantastic environment. I want to settle in quickly in my new home and show why Tottenham signed me."

On interest from Bayern Munich, Simons said: "In football, there are always discussions. But I don't want to name names. Max [Eberl, the sporting director at the Allianz Arena] was one of those who brought me to RB Leipzig, and I'll always be grateful to him for that.

"The most important thing was to find a place where I could develop and express my playing style. That's the way it is at Spurs. My first impressions of the club are great; I felt the energy and ambition when I was introduced to the fans.

"Expectations are high, both for the team and for me," added Simons. "I'm looking forward to duels against the best players in the world."

The new Tottenham star revealed that he spoke to Timo Werner before penning a deal in north London. The duo briefly played together at Leipzig during the 2023/24 campaign, sharing the pitch on 10 occasions.

On the former Chelsea striker, Simons said: "He told me a lot about the club's greatness and its fantastic fans. And he said he thought it was the right place for me to learn and improve. Thanks for your trust, Timo!"

Micky van de Ven also played a key role in the midfielder's decision to join Thomas Frank's men. Speaking recently to the Dutch newspaper Algemeen Dagblad, Simons said: "The Premier League is fantastic.

"Everyone is happy for me that I've been able to take this step.

"So many Dutch internationals are playing, we're going to play a lot of matches against each other. That makes it extra special. Micky van der Ven already said; 'We need you, so come here.' And that's what happened."