Newcastle and Crystal Palace are competing with Real Madrid to sign AZ Alkmaar star Kees Smit.
The 19-year-old midfielder is considered one of the hottest prospects in European football since he burst onto the scene in 2023.
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After scoring ten goals in 46 appearances for AZ’s reserve team, Smit has now established himself as an integral part of the senior national team.
He has scored two goals and provided five assists in 27 appearances in all competitions this season.
His good form has led to him being included in the Netherlands’ World Cup squad next summer.
And his dazzling performances attracted interest from numerous top clubs ahead of AZ’s record-breaking sale.
All right, Smit
The Pitch Prospect understands Champions League rivals Real and Newcastle are the two clubs most interested in snapping up the teenager from the Netherlands.
While the Eagles are also eyeing a potential breakthrough, which would be a major coup for the south London team.
Any applicant who wants to use Smit’s services will have to pay over £22 million.
That would be a record fee for an AZ player, which was £21.8 million when they sold now Manchester City star Tijjani Reijnders to AC Milan in 2023.
Smit himself has stated that he intends to start a new chapter away from the AFAS Stadium before his contract expires in 2028.
Speaking to De Telegraaf about his future plans, he said: “How long do I see myself at AZ?”
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“I think six months or a year and a half later I hope to have taken the next step.”
“I assume that my transfer will be completed for 30 million euros.
“It would be AZ’s most expensive signing and would be good for the club.”
“My next step is outside the Netherlands, so it won’t be difficult for me to deal with it [the speculation].
“In fact, I think it’s wonderful and I’ve started thinking about it.”
Such is Smit’s ceiling in the game that Dutch coach Ronald Koeman recently compared him to Barcelona maestro Pedri – the Golden Boy and 2021 Kopa Trophy winner.
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Koeman remarked in November: “I have to be careful what I say, but I coached Pedri at Barcelona and I see things from him in Kees Smit.”
“The rotations, the use of both feet, the vision of the game, that’s what I saw from Pedri back then.”
“What he shows at such a young age is impressive.
“If he achieves half of what Pedri achieved in his career, everyone in Holland will be happy.”