Tottenham scouted Dutch talent Kees Smit in AZ Alkmaar’s 2-0 win over Ajax last weekend
Tottenham Hotspur must find a way to get their season back on track after recent poor results under Thomas Frank. The north London club’s struggles at home continued with a 2-1 defeat against Aston Villa in the Premier League last weekend, followed by an even more lacklustre display against AS Monaco in the Champions League in midweek.
Despite tasting just two defeats in all competitions this season, there are many holes in the squad that needs plugging quickly. The midfield unit requires addressing, as Thomas Frank must add an all-action midfielder in 2026. Signing quality players from different European leagues in the winter transfer window are often difficult, and Spurs may face a similar issue in the upcoming window.
However, that should not stop the Europa League champions’ scouting network from identifying gems and tracking their progress at various clubs. And something similar is already happening, as Tottenham eye a highly-rated Eredivisie talent.
Tottenham scouted Dutch talent Kees Smit in AZ Alkmaar's 2-0 win over Ajax last weekend.
Tottenham target Netherlands’ Kees Smit named UEFA European Under-19 Championship Player of the Tournament
Tottenham scout AZ Alkmaar wonderkid
According to an exclusive report from TBR Football, Tottenham were among several clubs that watched AZ Alkmaar talent Kees Smit during the 2-0 win over Ajax last weekend. For a second game in a row, the midfielder played 90 minutes and helped AZ secure a big win.
Several Premier League clubs have watched the teenager closely in recent months, including Brighton, Fulham, Chelsea and Brentford. Tottenham registered their interest in Kees Smit earlier this year, while Newcastle United are the latest English club to have joined the race for his signature. European bigwigs Real Madrid, Barcelona and Bayern Munich are understood to be on his trail too.
Smit joined AZ Alkmaar’s youth academy back in 2015, and after impressing along the way up the ladder, he made his first-team debut in March 2024. The Dutchman enjoyed his breakout season at AZ last term, racking up 18 Eredivisie outings. The midfielder has made a strong impression already this term, bagging a goal and three assists in 15 appearances in all competitions.
He shot to prominence last summer with brilliant showings at the Under-19 European Championship. Smit didn’t just captain the Netherlands to the title, he was also adjudged the Player of the Tournament and went home with the top scorer prize, too. This is why the midfielder is regarded as one of the Netherlands’ football brightest talents, and it is not surprising to see so many clubs across Europe vying for his signature.
“Talking to scouts in Europe, there are not many more names that create as much excitement as Smit,” TBR Football chief correspondent Graeme Bailey said.
“Many clubs believe Smit is the real deal and from what I am being told there is a very good chance he moves next year.”
Tottenham scouted Dutch talent Kees Smit in AZ Alkmaar's 2-0 win over Ajax last weekend.
Thomas Frank’s Tottenham scouted Kees Smit in AZ Alkmaar’s win over Ajax
Tottenham must sell their project well to Smit
AZ are bracing offers for Smit next year amid growing interest in Europe. The versatile midfielder has shown enough promise to suggest he’s the real deal, and aged just 19, he can become a fantastic long-term investment for any interested club.
Tottenham have been keeping tabs on the Dutch talent’s performances since 2024. Spurs are no strangers to recruiting young talent in recent years, as evidenced by the captures of Destiny Udogie, Pape Matar Sarr, Lucas Bergvall, Wilson Odobert and Archie Gray among many names. Smit also falls in that category- talented, versatile, technically strong and dynamic with huge ceiling. The Netherlands Under-21 international would enhance the Lilywhites’ pool of prodigious talent, futureproofing the midfield region.
With several European giants in the race and potentially more to join, Tottenham would face a mighty challenge to lure Smit to White Hart Lane in 2026.