Tottenham’s transfer window has so thoroughly disillusioned fans that few dare believe Xavi Simons will actually choose Spurs over Chelsea. The prevailing sentiment seems to be: “Gazump us once, shame on you. Gazump us twice, shame on me. Gazump us three times, shame on the media.
Spurs supporters were left so devastated by premature reports the club had signed Morgan Gibbs-White and Eberechi Eze that no transfer guru or respected media outlet can be considered reliable. And who could blame a fanbase that has been watching a tragicomedy play out for all the world to see over the past two months?
But hope is a powerful drug. Even the most virile cynic can be forgiven for feeling a tinge excitement when the news broke that Xavi Simons is in North London with his agents to negotiate a deal away from RB Leipzig. After all, every transfer expert and football journalist was left red-faced after the Eze debacle. Perhaps, they learned their lesson, and they will be more cautious this time.
The past eight hours have swung like a pendulum of hope and skepticism among Spurs fans. Some are clinging to reports from reputable sources claiming that Tottenham have overtaken Chelsea in the race to sign the Dutch starlet. Others are refusing to underestimate the public’s insatiable appetite for transfer updates—and the pressure on journalists to give the narrative as much oxygen as “twitterly” possible.
Here is a timeline of events that have driven the Xavi Simons-to-Tottenham story since dawn broke on August 28.
Bild got the story rolling. “[E]verything now points to a move to Premier League club Tottenham, where Xavi and his entourage will hold further talks this Thursday. Financial matters will also be discussed. Reports from England suggest that Xavi has very specific (and ambitious) expectations regarding his salary.”
Florian Plettenberg then provided an update, with a nod to Sky Sports Netherlands. “Official offer from Tottenham to RB Leipzig for Xavi #Simons – 100% confirmed, with both clubs in direct contact today. Tottenham are pushing. Xavi Simons is in London. An agreement between Leipzig and Tottenham is seen as a matter of time. RB demand €70m including add-ons. No decision for now – it’s up to Xavi and any potential Chelsea movement.”
Fabrizio Romano was soon to follow: “Xavi Simons has arrived in London with his camp in order to clarify future move soon, authorized by Leipzig. Tottenham are in club to club talks with Leipzig, official contact made today. Chelsea remain in talks with Leipzig as they had all ready on player side since July.”
ESPN UK also jumped in on the story: “Tottenham have moved into pole position to sign Xavi Simons from Red Bull Leipzig after the midfielder was given permission to travel to London to finalise his next move, sources have told ESPN.”
Matt Law for The Telegraph chimed in as well. “Tottenham close to agreeing a deal to sign Xavi Simons following positive talks with RB Leipzig and player. But until transfer is confirmed there will be nervousness over Chelsea threat.”
Ben Jacobs then offered his assessment: “Tottenham have held advanced talks with Leipzig over a move for Xavi Simons. Spurs prepared to pay around €70m. Personal terms with Simons being worked on and not far off. Simons has already agreed terms with Chelsea, and has wanted a move to Stamford Bridge all summer, but there is no club-to-club agreement yet. Chelsea now have to move fast with Spurs pushing for a quick agreement. Spurs cautious in case Chelsea counter, but an agreement between Spurs and Leipzig, and Spurs and Simons, is close.”
These are the days of living dangerously. Yet, respected transfer expert for The Athletic, David Ornstein, has so far resisted the temptation to walk on the wild side. Should we take his reticence to mean that the information is accurate and he has nothing else to add? Is it a sign that he expects this to blow up in everyone else’s face and hopes to come out of it looking like the only football journalist with integrity? Or is he biding his time to break the big story, whichever way it plays out, live on Sky Sports?
Amidst Ornstein’s silence, we have gotten a brusque update from his German colleague at The Athletic Seb Stafford-Bloor: “Tottenham make an opening offer worth an initial €60 million for Xavi Simons. Under review by Leipzig.”
Despite the barrage of reports and speculation, one thing is certain. Tottenham supporters will regard every rumor or detail about negotiations as dubious after the psychological whiplash they have suffered this transfer window. The only news that matters is an official announcement from the club. Every other update is just fuel for future despair.