RB Leipzig have warned Chelsea that they will not back down on their €70m (£60.4m) asking price for Xavi Simons, according to reports.
Chelsea are hoping to wrap up a transfer deal for the Netherlands international before the summer window closes on September 1.
The Blues have already agreed personal terms with Simons but are yet to reach an agreement with Bundesliga club Leipzig for the 22-year-old.
The move is now in danger of falling through, according to German outlet Kicker, who have reported that Simons could stay at Leipzig if Chelsea are unwilling to pay his full price tag with two weeks left in the current window.
Simons, who plays as an attacking midfielder or as a winger, is under contract with Leipzig until the summer of 2027.
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The Dutchman conjured up 10 goals and seven assists across 25 Bundesliga games last season.
Manchester City launched an attempt to hijack Chelsea’s deal – but it’s thought that Simons would prefer to join the Blues this summer.
Leipzig have already rejected a swap deal offer from Chelsea for Simons which would’ve seen Christopher Nkunku move in the opposite direction.
It’s believed that Chelsea are looking to offload two of their current attackers before completing a deal for Simons.
Nkunku is very much up for sale and the same is true for Nicolas Jackson, who has attracted interest from a number of clubs this summer.
Chelsea have already signed a number of players this summer, including Jamie Gittens, Joao Pedro, Liam Delap, Jorrel Hato, Estevao Willian, Dario Essugo, Mamadou Sarr and Kendry Paez.
Dutch coach Rene Meulensteen believes Simons would thrive at Chelsea if he becomes their latest signing.
‘Xavi Simons is a great player to float around the No.10 position, or cut inside from the wing into the pockets,’ he told Poker Strategy.
‘He’s a good dribbler, versatile and has cut his teeth with PSV and RB Leipzig, performing well in the Bundesliga.
‘The Premier League is a step up, but you would expect playing for Chelsea or another top six side that the team would dominate most games they play – and that would suit Simons.
‘He’s very creative and plays with a lot of intensity. He’s certainly a player Chelsea fans could warm to immediately.
‘While the areas in which they both operate may be similar, Cole Palmer and Simons are different in various aspects; they aren’t the same player.
‘But they both excel at working in the forward pockets and have an eye for manufacturing the lead-up to a goal.’