Newcastle United x Liverpool - stars showcase unique connection despite club bad blood
Newcastle United have been linked with transfer moves for both Kees Smit and former midfielder Elliot Anderson recently - here's the truth about interest, or otherwise, in both.
But a January move for Dutch wonderkid Kees Smit, as reported elsewhere, is understood to be on the agenda, sources have told NewcastleWorld.
What Newcastle United think about wonderkid Kees Smit
Newcastle United are looking to recruit in the midfield department in the next two windows, with the late summer window sale of Alexander Isak opening up the potential to spend.
And it’s been confirmed to NewcastleWorld, that AZ Alkmaar and Netherlands rising star Smit is a player the Magpies will look to tie down, ahead of the likes of Real Madrid, who have been credited with an interest.
Smit has been winning rave reviews back in his homeland with his classy, technical performances coming into Premier League consciousness when he starred for AZ against Crystal Palace recently in the UEFA Conference League. He played on the left of a midfield three in that encounter.
The 19-year-old is understood to be admired by many of Europe’s top clubs, but has been earmarked by the NUFC talent ID team as a potentially attainable January target.
Ronald Koeman on Newcastle United and Real Madrid target Kees Smit
Speaking this week, the Netherlands boss said: “He has the awareness to receive in tight spaces and move the ball forward. That is something we value.”
The player has been compared to Barcelona midfielder Pedri. When asked about this, Koeman added: “The resemblance people see is in how he positions himself and his decision-making under pressure. But every player must form his own identity.”
The truth about Newcastle United and any potential Elliot Anderson return
While Smit is very much a target, England and Nottingham Forest star Anderson is less so.
Newcastle are obviously big fans of the player, head coach Eddie Howe recently said so, but there is an acceptance, NewcastleWorld understands, the Magpies are unlikely to be able to afford Anderson, when he inevitably leaves the City Ground.
Anderson prices have been quoted at £100m plus by many outlets, and as things stand, that is not a fee the club are in any position to pay. The likes of Manchester City and Manchester United will head up a list of suitors, should Anderson be allowed to depart in the not too distant future.
It’s understood the player, now an England regular, would jump at the opportunity to come back to St James’ Park, however the finances of any deal look to have severely lessened the chances of reunion.
Eddie Howe would ‘love’ Elliot Anderson return
Howe said: “From my perspective, I would love him too (return). I’m very respectful of the fact he is at another football club and I would never normally talk about a player in that way, so, I won’t change that stance.
“It is very regrettable that a player from the academy who had given so much… and the club had given so much too, the coaching staff, all those years here, and how people tried to develop those talents, for him not to be utilised here is a real shame.”
‘Mixed feelings’ - Eddie Howe on Elliot Anderson’s NUFC exit
Howe also took a swipe at the PSR regulations that forced Newcastle’s hand. He added: “Every time I watch him play, there are mixed feelings. It’s not on my mind every day, but there are certain moments.
“It doesn’t sit right with me that we, as a football club, had to make a decision that we didn’t want to make. It’s happened. We wish Elliot nothing but the best.”
Elliot Anderson ‘sad’ leaving Newcastle United
Anderson has previously admitted to feeling “sad” at leaving Newcastle. He said earlier this year: “It was very sad, you never know you’re going to join a club and play. In my head at the time, I never knew it was going to go the way it has so it was obviously a really tough one to take.
“I was really settled there, and I didn’t really see it coming. But that’s football.”
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