Chelsea transfer target Xavi Simons has told RB Leipzig that he wants to leave for Stamford Bridge and has subsequently been left out of the German side’s squad for a friendly match with Atalanta. The Club World Cup winners are edging closer to a £60million transfer, but the Dutchman has been stopped from putting pen to paper.

Xavi Simons seems to have made his mind up — and Chelsea are all ears. The Dutch midfielder has taken a bold step amid transfer talks by skipping RB Leipzig training ahead of a possible move to Stamford Bridge. This comes just as negotiations between the two clubs enter what many call “advanced stages.”