Xavi Simons in line for shock Barcelona return amid fears they can't sign Luis Diaz with Dutch attacker determined to leave RB Leipzig this summer

Amid increasing fears that they won't be able to secure a deal for Liverpool winger Luis Diaz this summer, Sportreports that Barcelona could consider a shock move for Simons, who has submitted a transfer request to leave RB Leipzig this summer.

After missing out on qualification for any European competition, Simons has publicly expressed his desire to leave Leipzig. The German club are open to granting his request, but not without a substantial offer. They are reportedly demanding a fee north of €70 million (£60m/$82m) for the 22-year-old attacking midfielder. Paying such a fee could prove to be an arduous task for the Catalans, who have reportedly not yet reached the 1:1 financial rule.

Barca were determined to sign Nico Williams from Athletic Club this summer. However, the deal collapsed, much to the shock of the La Liga champions, with the Spanish international signing a 10-year extension with the Basque outfit. Following the Williams fiasco, Barca have turned their attention towards acquiring one of Diaz or Marcus Rashford, although deals for either player are yet to progress to the advanced stages.

Bayern Munich have reportedly stepped up their pursuit of Diaz, while a move for Rashford remains in limbo. The Blaugrana have a little under less than two months to figure out their transfer plans, although they would have hoped of signing an attacker before their pre-season begins mid-July, followed by a pre-season tour to South Korea and Japan at the end of the month.