Newcastle have been linked with AZ Alkmaar playmaker Kees Smit
Kees Smit of AZ Alkmaar
AZ Alkmaar youngster Kees Smit has been linked with Newcastle(Image: Getty Images)
View Image
Newcastle United will face stiff competition if they intend to pursue their reported interest in AZ Alkmaar hot prospect Kees Smit.
The Magpies have been linked with a move the 19-year-old midfielder, who can operate in the centre of the pitch or as a No 10.
The youngster played the full 90 minutes as the Netherlands U21 side beat Slovenia 2-0 on Friday night, with Dutch senior coach Ronald Koeman already taking a close interest in Smit's development.
The former Barcelona coach has likened him to Spanish star Pedri, who he coached during his time at the Nou Camp, and expects big things from the Dutch youngster.
“I almost regret mentioning his name (Pedri) again, but he’s a guy who plays in the same position,” said Koeman of Smit.
“The way he turns away from his opponent, the way he scans the area, his two-footedness... I saw that in Pedri too.
“If he gets half his career, we’ll be very happy in the Netherlands.”
Newcastle's transfer interest comes as Smit's star is rising across Europe, with Spanish giants Barcelona and Real Madrid said to be monitoring his progress.
In the Premier League, Manchester United and Crystal Palace have been linked with a move, while Bundlesiga sides Bayern Munich and Borussia Dortmund have been credited with interest.
For his part, Smit is trying to take the praise in his stride, but did admit to being a big Barcelona fan.
“If he thinks so, maybe I am," he said of Koeman's praise. "I wasn’t expecting it, but I think it’s a good comparison.
"I understand that people found it a rather strange comparison. Before I was De Bruyne and now I’m Pedri. Or Frenkie de Jong.”
“I watch almost every Barcelona match. It’s simply my favourite club.
“If the coach is talking about you, I think you’re pretty close. But I wouldn’t say I’m in the running. I have to prove if I really deserve it.”
Smit has already played 19 times for Eredivise side Alkmaar this season, scoring two goals and creating a further four for Maarten Martens' side.
The Dutch outfit are third in the table, behind PSV and Feyenoord, but have one only managed one win from their three UEFA Conference League matches to date, including a 3-1 defeat to Palace, where Smit created the consolation goal for Sven Mijnans.