Xavi Simons 'ready for great step' to Tottenham as new signing says Thomas Frank made clear Spurs is where he 'needed' to be after RB Leipzig exit

Simons has sealed a €60 million (£50m/$65m) move to Tottenham after making it clear to RB Leipzig that he wanted to leave. The Dutch midfielder admitted he had been set on an exit since the end of last season but stressed that he remained professional and gave his best for the Bundesliga side. He now takes over the No.7 shirt from Son Heung-min and becomes a marquee summer addition for Spurs after they beat Chelsea to his signature.

The Lilywhites see Simons as both a long-term project and a direct answer to the absence of James Maddison, who suffered a season-ending ACL injury. The 22-year-old’s arrival also continues Spurs’ push to invest in young, high-upside talent that fits Thomas Frank’s rebuild. For Simons, the move represents the Premier League stage he has been waiting for and a chance to grow his influence with the Netherlands national team.

On finally completing the move after months of speculation, Simons said: "It's a great step. There were a lot of things going on. I tried to block them out. On the pitch, I did my best. I thought, 'Hopefully we'll get through this,' and that's what happened. When I'm on the pitch, I just do my thing. I played every game. I wanted to leave. They [Leipzig] knew that since the end of last season. But I'm a professional guy. When I was at the club, I just did my best."

When asked why Tottenham stood out, he revealed that talks with Frank were decisive: "I've had many conversations. But once I spoke with the manager [Thomas Frank], it was clear to me that this was where I needed to be. I'd had the same experience at previous clubs. When I spoke with Ruud van Nistelrooy [at PSV], I immediately knew: 'Okay, this is where I need to be and where I can develop myself.' That's what happened at Leipzig. I felt an immediate connection. Not just with him, but with the entire club. But the manager is the most important person. I met Micky [van de Ven] there too. It just gave me a good feeling."

Simons will immediately link up with the Netherlands squad for their upcoming World Cup qualifiers against Poland and Lithuania. With Maddison out long-term, the Dutch international is expected to play a central role in Frank’s plans this season.