Man Utd’s top target was ‘dream’ Jurgen Klopp signing who embarrassed Declan Rice

One dynamic midfielder has emerged as Manchester United and Ruben Amorim’s top priority come the summer, though he was once the apple of ex-Liverpool boss Jurgen Klopp’s eye

A lacklustre Manchester United are said to be eyeing up a move for Dutch prodigy Xavi Simons, who was once hailed as Jurgen Klopp’s ‘dream’ Liverpool signing. The 21-year-old La Masia graduate signed for PSG in 2019 and made a name for himself across loan spells with PSV Eindhoven and RB Leipzig before making a permanent move to the Bundesliga in January.

It was at Euro 2024 where Simons’s qualities shone, embarrassing plenty of those who tried to stop him – including Arsenal’s Declan Rice – as he proved why top teams in England had been courting him for some time. Now, it seems as though the star who ex-Reds boss Klopp was ‘desperate’ to bring to Anfield is on the Old Trafford agenda again.

The Mail reports that Simons has re-emerged as a potential Red Devils summer target. However, any approach may hinge on whether or not Champions League qualification is achieved by winning the Europa League.

Contact is thought to have been maintained between both parties, as United have been linked with Simons in the past, even throughout the Dutchman’s January move to RB Leipzig worth an initial £42.5million – though this can increase to roughly £70m with add-ons.

The Red Devils’ renewed interest comes 12 months after German outlet BILD revealed that iconic former Liverpool boss Klopp – who now holds a role with Red Bull as their global head of soccer – was ‘desperate’ to bring the player to Merseyside during his tenure and that it would have been a ‘dream’ signing.

During England’s Euro 2024 semi-final clash against the Netherlands, Simons ran riot up against the Three Lions’ midfield – gaining plaudits for his performance.

It took the dynamo just seven minutes to open the scoring, and while England dramatically progressed 2-1 thanks to a Harry Kane penalty and a winner from Ollie Watkins, that didn’t stop the praise for Simons – who specifically embarrassed Rice.

Erik ten Hag, the Dutch head coach who was in charge of United during the time of Simons’s antics, was incredibly quick to compliment his countryman.

“I enjoyed Xavi Simons in that game (against England). The drive he has, and the passion with which he conquers balls and recognises situations are top,” said Ten Hag before his United sacking.

“His enormous drive as well. That is almost un-Dutch. I think you can see that he was trained abroad. He almost has a southern European doggedness in his game.”

Simons could soon be on his way to Old Trafford, if reports are to be believed, as Amorim looks to reshape his faltering United squad. The Red Devils currently sit 14th in the Premier League, having won just 10 games all season. They now find themselves relying on winning the Europa League if they want to compete at Europe’s top table next term.

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