Chelsea make big Rodrygo call as Blues continue pursuit of Xavi Simons

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Chelsea are looking to strengthen their attack even further this summer and have been linked with both Real Madrid’s Rodrygo and RB Leipzig’s Xavi Simons.

Fabrizio Romano thinks there is a good chance of Simons joining Chelsea before the transfer window closes, though no transfer fee has been agreed yet.

Regarding Real Madrid’s Brazilian star, it was claimed earlier this month that Chelsea had fallen behind Liverpool in the race for Rodrygo.

With all of the attacking options that Xabi Alonso currently has at the Santiago Bernabeu, his future is uncertain.

• READ MORE: Dream Chelsea transfer target Rodrygo reacts to Blues winning the Club World Cup against PSG

Chelsea withdraw from Rodrygo race

Chelsea may now be out of the race for Rodrygo‘s signature altogether as they focus on signing Simons from Leipzig.

In fact, according to AS, neither Chelsea nor Liverpool are interested in the winger any more and have both dropped out of the running to sign him.

The outlet claims that Chelsea are prioritising Simons, while Liverpool have turned their attention to Newcastle United striker Alexander Isak.

There is a possibility that the Blues sign Simons and another attacker before the market slams shut, but that other offensive player is more likely to be Manchester United’s Alejandro Garnacho than Rodrygo.

Chelsea are keeping tabs on Garnacho as they weigh up whether to make a move for him or not. For now, though, Simons is clearly the priority for them.

Who Chelsea were willing to offer to sign Rodrygo this summer

At one stage, it was rumoured that Chelsea were prepared to offer Joao Felix and Christopher Nkunku to Real Madrid in their bid to sign Rodrygo.

That will no longer be happening for more than one reason, though. The Blues cooling their interest in Rodrygo coincides with Felix‘s imminent move to Al-Nassr.

Felix has agreed a mega-money deal with Al-Nassr and is now set to join the Saudi Pro League club, who already employ his Portugal teammate Cristiano Ronaldo. As for Nkunku, a return to Germany seems possible as he continues to be linked with a move to Bayern Munich.