Ronald Koeman, the head coach of the Netherlands, has asked Xavi Simons to stay at PSV for another year despite strong rumours that he may be returning to Paris Saint-Germain.
Simons, who joined PSG from Barcelona two years prior, switched to PSV in August of last year after being limited to just 11 first-team appearances for the Ligue 1 powerhouse.
For second-placed PSV’s 30 Eredivisie games this season, the 20-year-old has started every one of them, but he recently made it seem as though he could be open to returning to PSG in the future.
Barca have also been tipped to move for their former youth player, yet Koeman believes the young attacking midfielder is better off staying in the Netherlands for the time being.
“I think it would be very good for him to stay one more year at PSV,” Koeman told Studio Voetbal.
Opening up on talks he held with Simons earlier this week, Koeman added: “I can’t reveal what we talked about, but these next steps are extremely important.
“I consider Xavi to be someone who weighs up his choices very carefully.”
Let's keep dreaming big!!! ❤️🤍 Decisive week ahead 💭🏆 pic.twitter.com/cLHABzR9uv
— Xavi Simons (@xavisimons) April 23, 2023
Simons is the joint-top scorer in the Dutch top flight this season with 15 goals, level with Heerenveen forward Sydney van Hooijdonk, while also assisting a further eight goals.
The three-cap Netherlands international can play right across the frontline, and national team boss Koeman believes he can become even more of a creative force in the future.
“I see him on the left for us, and I think he can grow into the number 10 position,” Koeman said. “He’s very talented and already very important at PSV.”