Chelsea set to hold talks with Leipzig over Xavi Simons despite Spurs interest

Chelsea are expected to hold further talks with RB Leipzig today over a deal for Xavi Simons despite late interest from Tottenham.

The Dutch midfielder played against Bayern Munich last night.

Although he has already strengthened his frontline with the arrivals of Liam Delap, Joao Pedro, Jamie Gittens and Estevao, Enzo Maresca wants further reinforcements.

As such, the club are working on closing deals for both Simons and Manchester United outcast Alejandro Garnacho before the summer window closes.

They are understood to have been in talks with Leipzig over Simons for several weeks, but an official opening offer has not been lodged.

As Daily Mail Sport reported, Leipzig are holding discussions with Chelsea over Christopher Nkunku and also admire Harvey Elliott as a replacement for Simons.

Simons is likely to set the Blues back around £60million and Leipzig have no intention of allowing him to leave unless the deal 'makes economic sense'.

Sporting director Marcel Schafer told BILD: 'We know his great ambitions to play in a top league for a title contender. He wants to prove himself at the highest level.

'If it makes economic sense, we're open. But only then. If it doesn't make financial sense for us, we look forward to another season with this outstanding player.'

However, the Blues will likely have to chop players from their bloated squad and have begun work on that front, with up to nine first-teamers at risk of being booted out.

Indeed, it is thought that the club are actively trying to arrange sales or loans for Nkunku, Nicolas Jackson, Renato Veiga, Alex Disasi, Carney Chukwuemeka, Ben Chilwell, Tyrique George and Raheem Sterling.

Meanwhile, talisman Cole Palmer missed his side's 5-1 drubbing of West Ham last night after suffering an injury during the warm-up at London Stadium.

'Cole in the last four or five days was not one hundred per cent,' said Maresca.

'He tried in the warm-up, but he felt something, so we preferred not to take any risks and make it worse, and we will see in the next hours if it's something important or not.

'It's a groin problem. It's already the [Crystal] Palace game he was not one hundred per cent for, but he has tried to make a big effort for the club, for the team, for the supporters, because he is really keen about the team.

'Tonight he tried again but it was not very good.'