Newcastle United are in the mix to sign AZ Alkmaar’s Kees Smit in the summer.
The midfielder’s rise at the Eredivisie side has caught the attention of a few clubs, including the Magpies.
He graduated from AZ Alkmaar’s academy and made his way into their first team in 2024
Smit played 69 matches so far, managing six goals and eight assists. He operates mainly in the middle of the pitch and at times both as a defensive and an attacking midfielder.
The 20-year-old has three goals and two assists from 21 league matches this season. Below are his stats per game in the Eredivisie this season.
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- Big chances created [this season]: 5
- Key passes: 1.4
- Accurate passes: 88%
- Interceptions: 0.6
- Tackles: 1.3
- Possession won in final third: 0.9
- Ball recovery: 5.4
- Duels won: 3.8
His development has already caught Newcastle United’s attention. Earlier in the season, Sport Witness relayed news of the Magpies, Liverpool and Real Madrid being the youngster’s suitors
In December, AZ general manager Merijn Zeeman said the player could leave in the summer.
Newcastle United keen on Kees Smit
Eddie Howe’s side continue to chase the Netherlands U21 international. Former Newcastle United goalkeeper Tim Krul has spoken about his compatriot to Ziggo Sport’s Rondo and Voetbal Primeur have relayed his comments.
Kees Smit’s development impresses him, and the former stopper insists the Premier League side are among the English clubs chasing the midfielder.
“Everyone in England is [impressed] too; Newcastle are after him,” he said.
Voetbal Primeur points out the Dutchman has a €60m price tag. Former Ajax midfielder Theo Janssen told Rondo that figure doesn’t make sense.
“€60m is a ridiculous amount of money for Smit. €60m?! Come on. That puts a lot of pressure on that boy. If that boy brings in €15m, that is already a lot of money,” Janssen explained.
Meanwhile, Smit spoke to Matchday, relayed by Soccer News, and explained he doesn’t focus on the price.
“To be honest, I never saw the figures. That is better, too. Otherwise, I might have started to have doubts. Ultimately, I am happy with my choice,” he added.
If it were up to him, he would prefer a move to another Dutch club before making a jump elsewhere. However, Smit is well aware that’s highly unlikely to happen.
“A stopover in the Netherlands would actually be ideal. I don’t think that’s going to happen. I actually never thought I had to leave and I always wanted to play for AZ and received a lot of confidence there. There was never a reason to leave before,” Smit said.
Dutchman’s contract, value and agent
Kees Smit has a contract until 2028, and Transfermarkt have raised his value from €22m in December to €25m this month.
The young midfielder is represented by Forza Sports Group. Their client list also includes Arsenal’s Jurriën Timber, Marseille’s Quinten Timber, Leeds United’s Pascal Struijk and several others.
However, AZ have tasked super-agent Jorge Mendes to help them secure €60m from his sale in the summer.
