Some Barcelona fans could scarcely contain their excitement at the suggestion that Xavi Simons could return to the club on loan next season, but it may well have been too good to be true.

Simons reportedly has a clause in his contract that allows him to choose where he goes on loan if he is loaned out, and with the Dutchman happy to return to Barcelona, it would have been a cost-effective addition this summer for Barcelona.

However as per Sport, Paris Saint-Germain, his parent club, have no intention of loaning him out again this summer, after seasons at RB Leipzig and PSV Eindhoven. Simons will either remain at the club, or be sold, but not for less than €100m – essentially striking him off Barcelona’s list of targets, unless that situation changes.