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A European football expert has claimed that a Tottenham star, who has not lived up to his billing this season, may thrive at Arsenal.
Clubs from around Europe are circling over Tottenham’s best players, with many potentially eyeing discounted deals if the Lilywhites fail to preserve their Premier League status.
Experts have claimed Spurs may have to sell many of their top earners if they go down, as they would not be able to sustain a large wage bill in the Championship.
It has now been suggested that one of the Lilywhites’ top earners may cross the North London divide if Roberto De Zerbi’s men fail to stay up.
Arsenal told to poach Xavi Simons if Tottenham are relegated
European football expert Andy Brassell believes that Xavi Simons will likely move to another Premier League club this summer if Tottenham fail to preserve their Premier League status.
He suggested that the 22-year-old would shine at the Emirates Stadium if he did a Sol Campbell and moved to the Red half of North London.
When asked where Xavi could end up if Spurs get relegated, Brassell told talkSPORT: “There’s a high chance of him staying in the Premier League, I would think. I looked at the sort of club that could do with him, and obviously he was relatively close to Chelsea before, but it’s hard to know what Chelsea’s plan is in the medium or indeed short term.
“I think Newcastle really need a number ten. I think he’d be really good for them. I actually think he could be pretty good for Arsenal. But obviously people would respond quite negatively to that – probably Tottenham and Arsenal fans, given the season that he and Spurs have had.
“The other issue with him being an Arsenal player – apart from the obvious – would be that he would block the pathway for Ethan Nwaneri, who’s obviously not had the loan spell that he would want at Marseille so far.
“But someone who’s that dynamic, who can create and score at a high pace, is a fit for the Premier League. And he would be good for, I think, any number of teams in the top part of the table.”
Spurs’ struggles blamed for Xavi’s poor campaign
After struggling to make an impact in his first few months in the Premier League, Xavi has showcased his quality over recent months for Tottenham.
Brassell has said that he sympathises with the Dutchman’s situation, opining that the Lilywhites struggles have slowed his adaptation to English football.
The journalist added: “Xavi Simons is just about to turn 23. He’s got all the ability in the world. There’s been times in his time at RB Leipzig that he was the best player in the Bundesliga. Not the whole time he was there, but for little spells.
“Someone who could take a game by the scruff of the neck, who was incredibly hard-working, that could score, create, go past players. I have a little bit of sympathy for his predicament this season. Because really he’s coming to a not particularly great Tottenham side, I think it’s fair to say.
“He’s adapting to the Premier League. Magic is expected of him. And he’s not really been given the time to adapt because he’s been taken off a lot – he’s been subbed fairly often as well in the recent past.
“Now, look, people are going to say: ‘Well, it’s about performances and Spurs need results’. But really I think he’s been a victim of the situation. They haven’t been able to give him time to really develop. And he’s shown, particularly in the Champions League, that he’s got the ability to do it.”
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