Ruben Amorim ideally wants Manchester United to sign another midfielder before the end of the summer transfer window.
The current priority at Manchester United is finalising a deal for Bryan Mbeumo after over a month of negotiations with Brentford for the 25-year-old star.
Mbeumo will join Matheus Cunha and Diego Leon as the only signings made by United this summer, but more incomings will be expected as Ineos get around to completing sales.
Reports suggest Amorim wants an “athletic” midfielder to be signed after identifying a lack of physicality in his side last season.
Netherlands U19s midfielder Kees Smit poses with his award.
Photo by Harry Murphy – UEFA/UEFA via Getty Images
Man United target Frenkie de Jong-esque Kees Smit
At the start of the week, United were temporarily linked with Javi Guerra but reports about the Spanish midfielder wanting to join were quickly shut down.
There are also links to Richard Rios as a midfield target, but the latest name on United’s shortlist is Kees Smit.
Smit, 19, currently plays as a central midfielder for Dutch side AZ Alkmaar, and was recently awarded MVP as the Netherlands won the U19 European Championships.
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United in Focus transfer expert Graeme Bailey exclusively revealed that United are showing interest in Smit.
“Kees Smit is a special player, I think because the Euro Under-21s was ongoing, many of the general football public missed the fact the Euro 19s has taken place – that also meant that Smit did not get the attention he perhaps deserved,” Bailey said.
“He finished player of the tournament in Romania and from a couple of people I know who were present, they could not have sung his praises any more – he was simply outstanding.
“One scout described him to me as a more mobile Frenkie De Jong which really is high praise for any young Dutch player.
“United are one of many clubs aware of Smit and there is a chance he leaves AZ this summer, one to keep an eye on for sure.”
Bailey’s comments are relayed by Eredivisie expert Kevin Lux, who also compared Smit to a “better De Jong”.
“Kees Smit is still a raw diamond,” Lux said to Transfermarkt. “He sees things that other players don’t. Personally, I think of him as a better version of Frenkie de Jong.
Man United could face Real Madrid challenge for Kees Smit
As well as United, Transfermarkt report that Smit is wanted by Spanish giants Real Madrid, meaning the Red Devils could face fierce competition for the young midfielder.
United beat Real Madrid to Leny Yoro last summer and now may have to repeat that trick if they are going to convince Smit to make a move to Old Trafford.
READ MORE: Man United went to extreme lengths to sign Frenkie de Jong, Erik ten Hag was frustrated at four missed signings
United were heavily linked with De Jong during Erik ten Hag’s tenure as manager, but a deal never came to fruition.
The transfer strategy under Ineos has been to try and recruit up-and-coming players rather than already-established stars and Smit certainly ticks those boxes.