Tottenham’s successful pursuit of Xavi Simons for a potential seven-year contract was heavily influenced by a personal recommendation from his former RB Leipzig teammate, Timo Werner. This decisive intervention helped Spurs overcome competition from a number of clubs, most notably Chelsea.
Tottenham’s technical director, Johan Lange, has since framed the signing as a “blessing in disguise.” The club had a frustrating summer, failing in high-profile moves for other creative midfielders like Morgan Gibbs-White and Eberechi Eze. Simons’ signing, therefore, became a crucial target in the final weeks of the window.
Simons himself has been vocal about Werner’s role in the transfer. In an interview with a German newspaper, Simons explained that Werner’s encouragement was pivotal. Werner, who had spent 18 months on loan at Tottenham, provided a unique and trusted perspective on life at the club. Simons revealed that Werner praised the “club’s greatness,” the “fantastic fans,” and told him it was the “right place” for him to learn and improve. This personal testimony from a player who had experienced the environment first-hand was a key differentiator for Tottenham.
While Chelsea had shown strong interest and even reportedly had personal terms agreed with Simons, they failed to reach an agreement with RB Leipzig. This indecisiveness allowed Tottenham to move swiftly and decisively, pushing the deal over the finish line. Simons also acknowledged that Bayern Munich, led by their director of sport Max Eberl, who had previously signed him for Leipzig, made a strong push for his signature. However, Simons’ childhood dream of playing in the Premier League, combined with Werner’s positive influence and a clear vision presented by manager Thomas Frank, solidified his choice to join Tottenham.
The signing is seen as a major statement of intent for Tottenham and their new project under Thomas Frank. Simons’ versatility and creativity are expected to be key assets, and his long-term deal is a testament to how highly the club rates his potential.