Why Bayern won’t move for Xavi Simons even if they miss out on Wirtz

Bayern are head over heels for Bayer Leverkusen starlet Florian Wirtz.

The likely Bundesliga champions intend to cap off a potential Bundesliga-winning campaign by signing Germany’s brightest talent. After their own, of course, in Wirtz’s international colleague and friend, Jamal Musiala.

Given that a move for the 21-year-old champions will likely see the Allianz Arena-dwelling outfit spend upwards of £100m, it’s reasonable to expect sacrifices will need to be made.

Thomas Müller is one such sacrifice. Bayern accept that they have to allow the fan favourite to leave this summer to clear room in the squad. The return of €17m-a-year [£14.5m] in wages to the club coffers will certainly help in that regard.

But there are also consequences for the club’s former targets, like Xavi Simons.

Bayern won’t try to sign Xavi Simons

If Simons was counting on a move to Säbener Straße this summer, he’s to be left disappointed.

Bayern’s interest in the reported Liverpool transfer target last year was understood to be genuine. However, Christian Falk now notes that the Dutchman is likely to move to the Premier League at the end of the season.

“Last summer, Max Eberl and Vincent Kompany had concrete talks with Xavi Simons of RB Leipzig,” the head of football at the BILD Group exclusively informed CF Bayern Insider.

“He will be on the market this summer, but Bayern Munich are not in a position where they want to make a bid for him. I think he’ll go to the Premier League.

“€70m [£59.7m] is the price at the moment. But you see how much has changed for Bayern Munich’s decision-makers, as last season the club was prepared to try for Wirtz and Simons. Now, they are especially focused on “Plan A”: Florian Wirtz. Simons is no longer part of the plan.”

The 22-year-old has enjoyed a relatively productive 2024/25 campaign, racking up 16 goal contributions in 29 games (across all competitions).

Why Bayern are hesitant

We can see why Bayern are so committed to their “Plan A” in Florian Wirtz.

The German international has the second most goal contributions in Europe’s top five leagues (all competitions).

* Stats courtesy of Transfermarkt

Even accounting for the Amsterdam-born player’s ankle injury this season, his minutes per goal contribitution ratio is still some way off Wirtz’s productivity.

Xavi Simons is currently averaging a goal or assist every 151.06 minutes. His Bayer Leverkusen counterpart is on one every 108.57 minutes.

In terms of which footballer is more likely to make an instant impact in Munich, the answer should be obvious.

Meanwhile, Simons looks as if he’s in need of further development before attracting the wandering gaze of Europe’s elite clubs.

The Bayern Insider: Why Bayern can still beat Man City & Real Madrid to Florian Wirtz