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Newcastle are ready to compete with Europe’s top clubs for AZ Alkmaar wonderkid Kees Smit.
The 19-year-old Dutch midfielder was compared to Barcelona star Pedri by Netherlands boss Ronald Koeman this week.
Barca are one of many clubs watching Smit, along with the likes of Real Madrid, Borussia Dortmund and Bayern Munich. There is a feeling in the Netherlands he will leave AZ next year – his current contract expires in 2028 – and a fee of around £20million has been mooted. There will be no shortage of suitors for a player who has already appeared 50 times for AZ and has European experience.
But the promise of more game-time at a Premier League club could yet appeal ahead of a move to one of the Spanish giants, and Newcastle are hoping to push their way to the front of the queue.
Daily Mail Sport understands the Magpies are big admirers of Smit and new sporting director Ross Wilson is keen to identify the continent’s best young players with scope for development.
Given Eddie Howe operates with a three-man midfield and the likes of Joelinton and Joe Willock have not hit their best form of late, the position is an area Newcastle are looking to strengthen beyond this season and possibly as soon as January. There is also a slight doubt over the long-term future of Sandro Tonali.
AZ Alkmaar’s Kees Smit celebrates a goal during the Eredivisie match against Sparta Rotterdam. He has been compared to Pedri by Netherlands head coach Ronald Koeman
The 19-year-old midfielder in action against Crytal Palace in the Conference League last week
Pedri is just 22 but has already played more than 200 times for Barcelona
Smit is seen as technically gifted with an ability to play through the lines. He has also drawn likeness to Kevin De Bruyne in his home country, where there is great excitement around a teenager they believe will emerge as a national-team regular.
Koeman said: ‘He has the awareness to receive in tight spaces and move the ball forward. That is something we value. The resemblance people see (with Pedri) is in how he positions himself and his decision-making under pressure. Big clubs follow players with these characteristics. That is normal. What is important is that he continues developing where he is, playing regularly.’
Smit shot to prominence in 2023 when he scored from 50 yards against Barcelona in the UEFA Youth League. Last summer, as Netherlands won the Under-19 European Championship, he stole the show and was awarded most valuable player after finishing joint top goalscorer.
Crystal Palace are also interested in Smit and he played for AZ during their 3-1 defeat at Selhurst Park in the Conference League last week.
