PSG activate Xavi Simons buy-back clause, decision before July 31

Just a few hours before introducing Luis Enrique as the new leader of their project, PSG officially activated the buy-back clause present in Xavi Simons' deal with PSV that could bring the youngster back to Paris for a bargain fee.

After the clause got activated, Simons will have 25 days (before July 31) to make a decision regarding his personal preference: stay at PSV or return to PSG.

Whatever ends up happening, though, will depend entirely on Simons' decision as the clause must be triggered by both parties and PSG can't do anything about that.

Simons, still just 20 years old, joined PSV Eindhoven from PSG last summer after rejecting a contract extension at Parc des Princes knowing that his path to minutes was going to be more than blocked by the attacking trio of Lionel Messi, Neymar, and Kylian Mbappe.

The phenom went on to have an extraordinary debut in his native Holland, scoring 22 goals and providing 12 assists in all competitions and helping PSV qualify for the Champions League, something that could prove key in his upcoming decision as he won't necessarily return to PSG in order to play UCL football.

According to football insider Fabrizio Romano, PSG have "sent a formal communication to PSV confirming they have triggered the €6m buy-back clause in Simons' contract." The clause expires on July 31, giving Simons 25 days to decide, and the move "only depends on Simons' final decision--the player decides," as reported by Romano.

A few days ago, Romano quoted PSV head coach Peter Bosz saying that he had had a "good, positive conversation with Simons," although he made clear that "at the end, he will decide by himself."

Earlier this summer, Simons stated that leaving PSV is "not on his mind" and that he had "no obligations to anyone regarding his future." The buy-back clause was an agreement between him and PSV, not PSG, and he will make the choice himself.

Other European clubs are also interested in signing Simons, such as Barcelona and Arsenal, although PSG are in a clear leading position thanks to the low-price buy-back clause they hold possession of.

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