RB Leipzig have confirmed the signing of midfielder Xavi Simons from Paris Saint-Germain on a permanent basis.

Simons joined Leipzig on loan from PSG in the summer of 2023, immediately after the French side had parted with €6m to re-sign him from PSV Eindhoven, and saw that loan extended last summer after establishing himself as a key player for Leipzig.

That move has now been turned permanent, with reports suggesting Leipzig have parted with an initial €55m (£46m), plus a further €26m (£21.8m) to take the deal up to a total of €81m (£67.8m).

Such a fee would be the second-highest in Bundesliga history, behind only Bayern Munich’s €95m acquisition of Harry Kane from Tottenham Hotspur in 2023.

“I’ve always said that I feel extremely at home in Leipzig and that I’m honoured by the appreciation shown towards me by the club,” Simons said. “Over the coming weeks and months, I will be able to freely pursue our joint aims of qualifying for the Champions League for the seventh straight season, and of reaching the DFB-Pokal final in Berlin – those are the only things that matter right now!”

Meanwhile, PSG also bid farewell to centre-back Milan Skriniar, who has joined Turkish side Fenerbahce on loan until the end of the season.

Skriniar was heavily linked with moves to either the Premier League or Serie A but will now continue his career under the tutelage of Jose Mourinho.

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