Xavi Simons could be handed perfect welcome gift after Tottenham transfer

Tottenham Hotspur are closing in on a transfer for RB Leipzig’s Xavi Simons, and the player could be given the perfect welcome gift once his move to the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium is complete.

After missing out on a move for both Morgan Gibbs-White and Eberechi Eze earlier this season, Spurs turned their attention to Simons, despite Chelsea also showing an interest. Latest reports suggest that a fee has been agreed with Leipzig and Simons has already completed his medical and signed the relevant paperwork.

The deal is reported to be worth around €60 million (£51m). If a deal is completed before 12pm today (Friday), the midfielder could be eligible to make his debut in the weekend’s Premier League clash against AFC Bournemouth at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium (3pm kick-off).

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Simons scored 11 goals and provided eight assists in 33 appearances for Leipzig last season. He will be hoping to have an instant impact at Tottenham.

A new arrivals brings excitement to fans, with one of the questions as to what shirt number that the new man may wear. The departure of Son Heung-min earlier this summer gives Spurs the perfect answer for Simons.

While the 22-year-old currently wars the number 10 with Leipzig, during his time with PSV Eindhoven, he wore the number seven. Son’s departure has left that number free to take.

Simons currently wears the number 10 with Leipzig but that is the number currently worn by James Maddison at Tottenham.

As well as wearing it for PSV, the number seven is also the number worn by Simons during international duty with the Netherlands over the past three years. Replicating his international number with his club should therefore appeal to the player.

Taking over from Son who had the number for nine years should be a big honour for Simons. It’s a shirt number that he will hope to live up to if he opts to take that number this summer.

If Simons chooses not to take the number seven, there are other options available to the new man. Number Two, five, 12, 16, 18 and 26 are also currently without a player.