Tottenham may have found an extra bit of motivation to avoid relegation – it could prevent Xavi Simons from joining bitter rivals Arsenal.That is after European football journalist Andy Brassell sensationally claimed the Dutchman could be a good fit in the red half of north London should Spurs succumb to the drop.AFPSimons scored and assisted as Spurs were held to a 2-2 draw by Brighton at the weekend[/caption]Roberto De Zerbi‘s men are in real danger of an embarrassing relegation to the Championship as they sit 18th in the Premier League with five games left to play.And if Spurs are unable to stay in the top-flight, they look destined to lose many of their big-name players in the summer.Among the stars set for an early exit could be Simons, despite the playmaker only joining the club for a £52million fee last summer.Tipped to shine after impressing with former club RB Leipzig, the 23-year-old has struggled to make his mark in the Premier League.With just two goals and five assists in 27 top-flight games, Simons has been in and out of the starting XI in a chaotic season which has seen Tottenham change management three times.It looked as though his breakthrough moment had finally come at the weekend, when he scored a superb goal to put Spurs 2-1 up against Brighton, only for his side to concede a heartbreaking late equaliser.Crossing the divide?While Simons may finally have lift-off in north London after one of his best displays so far, his days in a Spurs shirt could be numbered.European football expert Andy Brassell named the Netherlands star as one of three first-team players who could depart the club should they get relegated, alongside James Maddison and Micky van de Ven.Discussing where Simons could move in this scenario, Brassell told talkSPORT: “There’s a high chance of him staying in the Premier League, I would think. “I looked at the sort of club that could do with him, and obviously he was relatively close to Chelsea before, but it’s hard to know what Chelsea’s plan is in the medium or indeed short term. Simons has just six goals and seven assists in all competitions this seasonGettyThe Dutchman has been billed as a good fit for Newcastle, who could lose Anthony Gordon this summerGetty“I think Newcastle really need a number ten. I think he’d be really good for them.”Then came Brassell’s bombshell tip, who claimed he could picture Simons donning the colours of Spurs’ sworn enemy, Arsenal.A move across north London would of course prove highly controversial among both sets of fans, with Sol Campbell the last player to go directly to the Gunners from Tottenham in 2001.However, this wasn’t the only stumbling block to a potential switch, with Brassell pointing out Arsenal will soon have talented teenager Ethan Nwaneri available again as an option in Simons’ position.On Simons’ options, Brassell continued: “I actually think he could be pretty good for Arsenal.“But obviously people would respond quite negatively to that – probably Tottenham and Arsenal fans, given the season that he and Spurs have had.Sol Campbell joined Arsenal from Tottenham in 2001 and landed some huge trophiesGetty“The other issue with him being an Arsenal player – apart from the obvious – would be that he would block the pathway for Ethan Nwaneri, who’s obviously not had the loan spell that he would want at Marseille so far.“But someone who’s that dynamic, who can create and score at a high pace, is a fit for the Premier League. “And he would be good for, I think, any number of teams in the top part of the table.”Simons a ‘victim of the situation’ at SpursDespite arriving in England with a huge reputation, Simons is yet to truly showcase showcase the creativity and flair that saw him become a highly sought-after player whilst at RB Leipzig.However, Brassell has insisted it is far too early to write Simons off, and claimed he has not been helped by a turbulent period at Spurs.Highlighting Simons’ qualities, he said: “Xavi Simons is just about to turn 23. He’s got all the ability in the world. GettySimons was named in the 2023/24 Bundesliga Team of the Season whilst at Leipzig[/caption]A switch to north London rivals Arsenal would be tempting if Championship football is the alternativeAFP“There’s been times in his time at RB Leipzig that he was the best player in the Bundesliga. Not the whole time he was there, but for little spells.“Someone who could take a game by the scruff of the neck, who was incredibly hard-working, that could score, create, go past players.”Despite a trying debut season in north London, Brassell insisted Simons has not been helped by the situation at Spurs and pointed out that he has showcased his quality in Europe – impressing in a last 16 Champions League defeat to Atletico Madrid.He added: “I have a little bit of sympathy for his predicament this season. Because really he’s coming to a not particularly great Tottenham side, I think it’s fair to say.“He’s adapting to the Premier League. Magic is expected of him. And he’s not really been given the time to adapt because he’s been taken off a lot – he’s been subbed fairly often as well in the recent past.“Now, look, people are going to say: ‘Well, it’s about performances and Spurs need results’.“But really I think he’s been a victim of the situation. They haven’t been able to give him time to really develop. “And he’s shown, particularly in the Champions League, that he’s got the ability to do it.”