Arsenal and Paris Saint-Germain-linked midfielder Xavi Simons has played down suggestions that he could seek an exit from PSV Eindhoven in the summer transfer window.
The Netherlands youngster spent nine years in Barcelona's academy between 2010 and 2019, catching the eye of PSG and making the move to Paris on a free transfer in 2019.
Having put together an impressive streak of performances at youth level - scoring five goals and providing six assists in 12 UEFA Youth League games - Simons was tipped to enjoy a big breakthrough into the first team at the Parc des Princes, but it did not pan out that way for the 20-year-old.
Simons made just 11 senior appearances for PSG - setting up one goal - and he ran down his contract to join PSV as a free agent for the 2022-23 season.
Despite failing to make the grade in the French capital, Simons starred for the Eindhoven giants during his debut campaign with 22 goals and 12 assists from 48 games in all competitions.
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The 2003-born midfielder came up with 19 goals in 34 Eredivisie matches for PSV, finishing second in the race for the Golden Boot behind Utrecht striker Anastasios Douvikas (20).
PSV also clinched a KNVB Beker and Dutch Super Cup double thanks to the efforts of Simons, who demonstrated his versatility by playing as a number 10, left winger and striker last term.
Having also taken the step-up to senior football with the Netherlands - earning his first cap at the 2022 World Cup - Simons is thought to be admired by Arsenal, who lost 2-0 to PSV in the group stage of the Europa League with the Dutchman leading the line.
However, PSG are believed to have inserted a buyback clause into his PSV contract, which could see the Parisiens bring him back to the Parc des Princes for as little as €12m (£10.3m) this summer.
Simons was asked about his future by reporters after arriving for international duty with the Netherlands earlier this month, and he insisted that he was not considering a departure from PSV, in spite of the shock resignation of head coach Ruud van Nistelrooy.
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The 20-year-old also revealed that the agreement in his contract is between him and PSV rather than a pact with PSG, saying: "It is a clause between me and PSV. Not between me and Paris Saint-Germain.
"It's a clause that, if I wanted to go to PSG, I could leave for a certain amount at the end of the season. To be honest, it's not in my head to leave. I'm settled here, I feel good here.
"You can also see that on the field I think. I came here on a free transfer, so I have no obligations to anyone. I'm the one who has to make the choice.
"I'm now with the Dutch national team, I'm going to work here for two weeks and then we'll see what happens. Soon we will decide together with family what is best for me."
Arsenal are known to be prioritising midfield additions this summer ahead of Granit Xhaka's expected move to Bayer Leverkusen, while Albert Sambi Lokonga could also be cut from the ranks.
The Gunners are working on a deal to sign West Ham United's Declan Rice for a club-record fee and are also believed to retain an interest in Brighton & Hove Albion's Moises Caicedo, having failed with two bids for the Ecuadorian in January.
Ben Knapton
