Burnley, Millwall and Bristol City are reportedly interested in signing Chelsea midfielder Xavier Simons, who is currently on loan at Hull City, and the Premier League club are yet to make a decision on his future.

According to the Evening Standard, the Tigers are keen to keep Simons at the MKM Stadium on a permanent basis and are in talks with the Blues over a potential deal before the closure of the window, but they now face competition from their fellow Championship trio.

Simons joined Hull on loan in the summer as one of three players to make the move from Stamford Bridge to East Yorkshire along with Nathan Baxter and Harvey Vale.

However, his game time has been incredibly limited with the Tigers, making just three appearances for the club so far. Both of his two league appearances have come as late substitute cameos, while his only start came in the FA Cup earlier this month.

Vale also experienced similarly restricted minutes and his spell at the club was ended last week as he returned to Chelsea, but Tigers head coach Liam Rosenior says that he would like to work with Simons long-term, hinting at a potential permanent stay for the 19-year-old.

"It’s a different case entirely with them [Xavier Simons and Nathan Baxter]. I really like the both of them, obviously Nathan is going to be out for a long time. With Xavi, I love the kid, I think he’s got a great future in the game, and he’s someone I enjoy working with, and want to work with in the long-term," Rosenior told BBC Humberside earlier this month.

But other clubs have now entered the race for Simons, although Chelsea are supposedly yet to make a decision on his future.

The verdict

Simons would be an exciting signing for whoever is able to land his signature.

He is clearly a highly-rated youngster who has featured for Chelsea at various youth levels, while he has evidently made an impression on Rosenior during his time at Hull.

However, the thing that may count against the Tigers is the lack of game time he has received at the club and if one of the other sides who are interested could give him more regular minutes, then that may be a more attractive option for him.

If Burnley make a move, then it is likely they will be able to offer Premier League football next season given their commanding position at the top of the table, which could give them an advantage.

It is understandable why interest in Simons is growing and this is one to watch as the race for his signature hots up.