Barcelona had marked the name of a familiar face as one of its top priorities. After breaking out in the European elite, the young talent developed at La Masia was once again on Barça's radar. Deco was leading the talks, confident that this time his return could indeed be finalized.
Xavi Simons was the target. The attacking midfielder, who had performed at a high level in Germany and the Netherlands, was available. His versatility, technical quality, and maturity fully convinced the coaching staff led by Hansi Flick.
Inside the club, they assured that the player was willing to return to Camp Nou as soon as possible. There was smooth dialogue with his camp, and Barça was considering several options to carry out the operation.
Meanwhile, Simons had shown himself open to returning to the club where he grew as a footballer and as a person. His social media posts and past statements had fueled that shared desire. Everything seemed to be heading toward a satisfactory agreement for all parties.
Simons launches the mystery and rekindles interest
No one knows exactly what he meant, but theories haven't stopped circulating among Barça circles. Some point to disagreements with former directors, others to unfulfilled promises during his youth career. In any case, his words reignited the fire.
The fans, especially on social media, have once again demanded his return with force. Many believe that Barça made a serious mistake by letting him go. Even today, they regret not having secured him when he was still wearing the blaugrana jersey.
Internally, Deco is still keeping in touch with his agency, but the club's priorities have changed. Rashford, Lamine Yamal, Pedri, and Gavi now dominate the project's attention. The competition for minutes could end up being another obstacle.
Meanwhile, Simons has proven he's ready to take the next step. At 22 years old, he has already shined in three major leagues and keeps a maturity that's unusual. His physique, vision, and leadership allow him to take on responsibilities without fear.
Rashford's arrival changes everything
However, Marcus Rashford's emergence changed everything. Barça completed his signing through an unexpected loan. Although exciting for the fans, that move completely cooled the option of Xavi Simons.
The club understood that two players of that profile could overlap in terms of role and prominence. In addition, Rashford's salary represented an effort that limited new moves in attack. Flick himself preferred to avoid unnecessary accumulation in certain positions.
That led Barça to stop pushing as hard as at first. Calls to the player's camp decreased, and the sporting priority shifted elsewhere. In that context, some statements emerged that reopened the debate.
In a recent interview, Simons dropped a phrase full of meaning. "Someday I'll explain why I left Barça," he said with a half-smile. That statement put his name back at the center of every conversation.
Final destination
With Barça out of the race, the outcome is about to happen. An English club has taken the lead with an irresistible offer. They are betting on his talent, his versatility, and his ability to make a difference.
The deal is practically closed, according to sources close to the footballer's camp. The official announcement is still pending, but the decision has been made and the final details are being worked out. His next destination won't be Camp Nou.
The club that will sign Xavi Simons is none other than Chelsea. There, he's expected to be a key piece of the new project. London will be the next stage where he'll try to keep shining.
