AZ Alkmaar midfielder Kees Smit has been linked with Newcastle Unitedplaceholder image
AZ Alkmaar midfielder Kees Smit has been linked with Newcastle United | Getty Images
Newcastle United have been linked with AZ Alkmaar midfielder Kees Smit - with a transfer for the 19-year-old looking likely.
Newcastle United have targeted AZ Alkmaar youngster Kees Smit ahead of the January transfer window.
Smit has made 19 appearances for AZ in all competitions so far this season, including one in the 3-1 defeat against Premier League side Crystal Palace in the Conference League.
NUFC target compared to Barcelona star Pedri
The teenager is also on the radar of Netherlands manager Ronald Koeman, as he considers handing the player a first senior call-up.
“He has the awareness to receive in tight spaces and move the ball forward. That is something we value,” Koeman said about Smit.
“The resemblance people see [to Barcelona midfielder Pedri] is in how he positions himself and his decision-making under pressure. But every player must form his own identity.
“Big clubs follow players with these characteristics. That is normal. What is important is that he continues developing where he is, playing regularly.”
Newcastle United given transfer green light
According to Sky Sports, AZ Alkmaar have given clubs the transfer green light to sign Smit and will sell should their valuation be met.
Alkmaar are looking for a ‘record transfer fee in excess of £22million’ and Newcastle are among the clubs most strongly linked with the midfielder.
Sky Sports’ Keith Downie added: “SSN understands Smit is keen to test himself at the highest level ASAP. AZ are open to selling Smit, but only for a record fee.
“Their current record sale is £21.8m for Tijjani Reijnders AC Milan. Smit is admired at #NUFC and is seen as a player with a very high ceiling.”
The Gazette has launched a new WhatsApp NUFC channel to bring the latest news, analysis and team & injury updates directly to your phone.Simply click this linkto join our NUFC WhatsApp channel.
Newcastle United’s new sporting director Ross Wilson looking to make an impact
Newcastle appointed Ross Wilson as the club’s new sporting director last month. Wilson will work with head coach Eddie Howe to try and improve the team both on and off the pitch, with attention to transfer strategy and future signings.
Newcastle’s summer transfer business without a sporting director in place following Paul Mitchell’s departure saw mixed results and has been the subject to some criticism.
Newcastle are yet to reap the benefits of a £150million outlay to sign Yoane Wissa, Jacob Ramsey and Anthony Elanga. While all three were established Premier League players, it has been argued that the club paid highly inflated fees for those three players in particular.
Meanwhile, Newcastle's two most successful summer signings so far arrived from the continent in Malick Thiaw and Nick Woltemade. An example of how the club could get better value for money when exploring targets across Europe such as Smit.
Newcastle may look to strengthen in the January transfer window following a poor start to the Premier League season. Howe’s side sit 14th in the table and two points above the relegation zone after 11 games.
Continue Reading