-Pedri Pushes for Simons: Barcelona’s Midfield Vision Takes an Unexpected Turn After Nico Williams CollapseIn the wake of Barcelona’s failed pursuit of Nico Williams, the club’s hierarchy was presented with a surprising but deliberate recommendation — and it came from one of their most influential young figures.
Pedri, widely regarded as the heartbeat of Barça’s midfield, personally approached decision-makers at the club with a bold suggestion: to pursue Xavi Simons as a top alternative.
Simons, a name that stirs emotion among Barça fans, is no stranger to the club.
A product of the famed La Masia academy, he left at a young age to continue his development with Paris Saint-Germain, before emerging as a dynamic and influential player on the European stage.
Now at RB Leipzig, the Dutch international has evolved into a creative force — praised for his vision, technique, versatility, and maturity beyond his years.
Pedri sees Simons not just as a nostalgic return, but as a strategic addition capable of elevating Barcelona’s evolving midfield.
According to sources close to the club, he sees Simons as someone who could inject both flair and control — elements crucial to the possession-heavy philosophy that new manager Hansi Flick hopes to reinforce.
Pedri’s endorsement of Simons has resonated throughout the dressing room.
Several of Barça’s emerging stars have echoed his enthusiasm, including Alejandro Balde, a close friend of Simons from their youth days, as well as teenage sensation Lamine Yamal and midfield dynamo Fermín López.
Their collective support reflects the belief that Simons could seamlessly integrate into the current group of promising young players leading the next era at Camp Nou.
Nevertheless, despite the groundswell of support, significant challenges remain.
Firstly, RB Leipzig’s valuation of the player — believed to be around €70 million — poses a serious financial obstacle.
Barcelona, still grappling with tight financial constraints and La Liga’s salary cap regulations, would likely be forced to sell a major asset such as Ronald Araújo or goalkeeper Marc-André ter Stegen to fund the move — an outcome the club would prefer to avoid.
Secondly, from a tactical standpoint, Simons does not perfectly align with Flick’s immediate needs.
The German coach is reportedly prioritizing a fast and direct winger to replace the role Nico Williams would have filled.
Simons, although adaptable, is more comfortable operating centrally or as a playmaking wide forward, which may create friction in fitting him into the manager’s current system.Despite these obstacles, internal discussions are ongoing.
Should a path be found — whether through creative financing, a player swap, or a shift in tactical priorities — Simons’ arrival could be a transformative move.
He would join a growing contingent of highly rated talents such as Balde, Yamal, Fermín, and Juan García, forming the foundation of a youthful and energetic squad built for both immediate impact and long-term success.
For Pedri, the push to bring Simons back to Barcelona is about more than just technical ability — it’s a statement of intent.
A vision of restoring identity, nurturing talent, and reclaiming Barça’s place at the pinnacle of European football. Whether the club can act on that vision remains to be seen, but the idea has certainly ignited a wave of optimism among supporters and players alike.
