Chelsea transfer news: Shirt numbers Xavi Simons could wear as talks with RB Leipzig move in 'positive direction'

Chelsea have apparently made progress in talks with RB Leipzig over a deal to sign Dutch playmaker Xavi Simons.

Over the past few days, the Blues appear to have emerged as the frontrunners for the ex-Paris Saint-Germain attacker, who was also thought to have been on Arsenal's radar.

Both the Gunners and Chelsea can offer Simons Champions League football next season, but Arsenal are believed to have made Eberechi Eze their number one creative target.

As a result, Chelsea could have a clear run at Simons's signature, and the Conference League winners were reported to have advanced in talks over personal terms with the 22-year-old earlier this week.

Simons is supposedly keen to join Enzo Maresca's side, and according to Fabrizio Romano, club-to-club talks between Chelsea and Leipzig have now reached an advanced stage.

Chelsea going in 'positive direction' with Simons transfer talks

While there is still some way to go before an agreement can be reached, negotiations are moving in a 'positive direction', and Simons is also close to personal terms with the Blues.

The Chelsea project apparently appeals to the Netherlands international, even though he could face incredibly intense competition for attacking starts in Maresca's system.

Simons's versatility means he could be deployed anywhere across the frontline, but the Dutchman has traditionally performed best on the left-hand side or just off the striker in the number 10 position.

Simons would have to battle Cole Palmer to feature in a central attacking role, though, while new signing Jamie Gittens will no doubt have his eye on the left-wing slot, which Tyrique George is also in contention for.

However, the prospective exits of Joao Felix, Raheem Sterling and Christopher Nkunku would decrease the competition for Simons, who boasts 21 goals and 23 assists in 76 appearances for Leipzig in all tournaments.

Shirt numbers available to Simons at Chelsea

At the beginning of last season, Simons was bestowed with the number 10 shirt at RB Leipzig, but the Dutchman can surely forget about nabbing the same jersey from Palmer at Stamford Bridge.

The '7' that Simons sports for the Netherlands is also in Pedro Neto's possession, but Chelsea's number 11 shirt is awaiting its next taker following Noni Madueke's exit to Arsenal.

Simons could therefore be following in the footsteps of Blues great Didier Drogba, who donned that shirt during both of his two separate spells at Stamford Bridge, as well as Dennis Wise and Graeme Le Saux.

Shirts 13, 26 and 28 are also unoccupied, while the 18 could also become available if Nkunku leaves the club this summer, but the '11' surely has Simons's name written all over it.