Xavi Simons of Holland U16 during the International Friendly match between Netherlands U16 and Italy U16 on April 18, 2019 in Katwijk, Holland(Photo by VI Images via Getty Images)

Another top Masia prospect departs as Xavi Simons leaves Barcelona and will reportedly sign with PSG.

At 16-years-old, Xavi Simons was rated as one of Barcelona’s most promising academy players. But like so many youth players in recent times, he will make his senior debut with another team as the player released a statement announcing his departure from the club.

In it he states,

“I leave a part of me in Barcelona and a part of Barcelona will always be with me. It’s a complicated day for me because nobody likes to say goodbye. And less so when you need to say goodbye to the place that’s been your home.”

His departure was likely an inevitability as soon as Mino Raiola became his agent. Raiola is an agent who will do whatever it takes to get his clients the best deal possible and an agent that Barcelona do not particularly enjoy doing business with.

According to Mundo Deportivo, the player and his entourage rejected a recent contract extension from Barcelona that would have seen him earn 200,000 euros a year which is not the norm for Juvenil A players and a bonus had he made his debut for Barca B. The proposal was rejected and he is now headed off to PSG to sign with the Parisian side.

These days, it seems like these two are battling it out not only for signings for the senior team, but for academy players as well. Recently, Barcelona beat out PSG for the signing of promising young English striker, Louie Barry.

Sport journalist, Albert Rogé reports that there is calm at Barcelona despite the player’s exit. They believe they offered him a fair contract and accept the player’s decision to leave.

En el Barça hay tranquilidad con la salida de Xavi Simons. El club le había ofrecido Juvenil A y más dinero. Jugador prefiere salir. Se acepta y mucha suerte para él #fcblive pic.twitter.com/fBQsaOIGUT — Albert Rogé (@albert_roge) July 23, 2019

Some may see this as yet more evidence that the Blaugrana’s youth policy and structure is in ruins but that is not necessarily the case, at least, when it comes to Simons. He’s been a much hyped prospect for years and it was only a matter of time before he left once Raiola took over. The club offered a more than fair contract and the player turned it down. From the Spanish giants’ side, it looks like there are no hard feelings.

He’ll now join PSG and have the opportunity to make his senior debut there. The Catalans still have plenty of players in the pipeline including in the category where Simons used to play. In the end, he preferred what PSG were offering and both sides move on.