Tottenham Hotspur secured one of Europe’s hottest prospects, Xavi Simons, successfully outmaneuvering London rivals Chelsea in the race to land the gifted Dutch playmaker.
Behind the scenes, it wasn’t just financial muscle or strategic urgency that secured the deal. As Simons revealed this week, a decisive personal recommendation from former Leipzig teammate Timo Werner helped tip the balance in Tottenham’s favour.
The 22-year-old Dutch midfielder completed his move from RB Leipzig to Tottenham in late August, signing a high-value long-term contract reportedly worth in the region of €60 million (£52 million).
During the summer window, Chelsea had appeared to be the front-runners—Simons had communicated a preference for Stamford Bridge, and strong negotiations were reported. But Spurs’ persistence ultimately paid off.
Speaking to Germany’s Leipziger Volkszeitung, Simons shed light on a conversation with Timo Werner—a former RB Leipzig colleague who had spent 18 months on loan at Spurs—that played a key role in his decision-making. “He told me a lot about the club’s greatness and the fantastic fans,” Simons said. “And he said he thought it was the right place for me to learn and improve. Thanks for your trust, Timo!”
Werner’s endorsement clearly carried weight. The 28-year-old German, who endured a mixed loan stint in north London, offered Simons first-hand insights into Spurs’ environment and culture—what it’s like to wear the shirt, perform in front of the Tottenham faithful, and develop within the club’s framework. Simons’s public thanks underscores the influence of his former teammate’s words in a crucial moment.
Beyond Werner’s endorsement, several factors swayed Simons toward Tottenham. He cited personal ambition to develop in a club environment aligned with his style: “The club’s vision, the magnificent stadium, the fans, the quality of the team, the coach – it’s a fantastic environment,” he told the Leipziger Volkszeitung.
Moreover, Simons acknowledged a sensation of belonging when meeting the coaching staff and supporters: “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.”
Thomas Frank, the Spurs head coach, also played a leading role. Simons revealed in an interview with Eindhovens Dagblad that Frank offered a balanced and honest appraisal of his strengths and growth areas, which impressed him: “The manager (Frank) told me a lot. Positive things, but also things that I need to improve. … It’s fantastic how he sees football, how he wants to make players better. Spurs is the right place for me to develop,” he said.
Simons’s affinity with Tottenham deepened further through personal connections. He shared that his family—a key sounding board in any major decision—visited the Spurs’ stadium and were captivated by the atmosphere. His younger sister, aged eleven, was particularly awed by the grandeur and energy of the venue. Such emotional resonance with his family evidently reinforced his sense that N17 was the right destination.
Simons’s journey to Tottenham is rooted in a career trajectory spanning Europe’s top academies and elite clubs. A product of Barcelona’s youth system, he progressed through Paris Saint-Germain and made his mark at PSV Eindhoven before securing an 18-month loan move to RB Leipzig, ultimately signing permanently in a deal worth over €50 million in January 2025. In Germany, he delivered consistently—22 goals and 24 assists in 78 appearances—earning a reputation for creativity, pressing, and versatility across the attacking midfield and left-wing roles.
Leipzig’s failure to qualify for European competition last season reportedly fueled Simons’s desire for a new challenge, making him receptive to Premier League offers. Chelsea, already deep in the market, had lined up a €60 million offer and envisaged him bolstering their attacking ranks. Yet, their approach lacked the urgency and personal connection that Tottenham delivered.
Tottenham, recovering from setbacks in pursuit of Morgan Gibbs-White and Eberechi Eze, shifted quickly to make Simons their marquee summer signing. The club’s Champions League qualification and desire to fill the creative void created by James Maddison’s ACL injury added impetus to the deal.
Simons’ arrival represents one of Tottenham’s most ambitious and high-profile signings in recent years. The Netherlands international is seen as a generational talent, capable of unlocking defences with flair and pressing with intensity. Securing him underlines Tottenham’s aspirations to compete at the highest levels, both domestically and in Europe.