Arne Slot is reportedly 'charmed' by a wonderkid in his native the Netherlands.placeholder image
Arne Slot is reportedly 'charmed' by a wonderkid in his native the Netherlands. | Getty Images
A fresh Liverpool transfer link has emerged ahead of the January transfer window
Liverpool have been linked with a wonderkid believed to be admired by Arne Slot, as the Reds look to turn around their season in the January transfer window.
The January transfer window then comes at a good time to add reinforcements in necessary areas of the pitch, potentially taking the Reds’ spending over £500million for the season if key targets are to be pursued.
The Reds have been linked with a talented teenager back in Slot’s native the Netherlands as a fresh Anfield transfer link emerges ahead of what could be a busy January.
Liverpool target Dutch talent Kees Smit
According to reports by Soccer News in the Netherlands relayed by Sport Witness, Liverpool are ‘considering a serious bid’ for 19-year-old AZ Alkmaar and Netherlands U21 midfielder Kees Smit, according to ‘sources in England’.
The report states that 2006-born Smit has already attracted interest from a variety of the biggest clubs in Europe, such as Borussia Dortmund, Newcastle United, Barcelona and Real Madrid.
Liverpool have now been added to this list amidst claims that Slot has been ‘charmed by him’ for years, dating back to the Reds head coach’s time as assistant manager and then head coach at the Eredivisie side, with his time at the club stretching from 2017-2020.
The Reds are said to have been monitoring Smit’s performances ‘for several months’ and are considering ‘joining the fight’ for his signature. Registering 12 goals and seven assists in 2025 in all competitions, the creative midfielder has seen a rapid rise and is now being primed for a massive next step in his career.
Smit has been compared to Barcelona star Pedri
Smit recently received glowing comparisons to Barcelona and Spain midfielder Pedri from Netherlands manager Ronald Koeman, as his profile continues to grow.
Koeman said: "I once experienced Pedri as a coach of Barcelona. And now I see things with Smit that I also saw with Pedri. Then it's about two-leggedness and scanning. If Smit gets even half of Pedri's career, then we will be very happy in the Netherlands. Other than that, I don't say too much, because then people might get confused."
The AZ wonderkid responded: "I don't get confused by it. But I do understand that people may have found it a bit of a strange comparison. I didn't expect it, but I thought they were nice words. Other people have to judge that [if he is the new Pedri]. I think he's really good, so I'd actually say not. But when other people say they do, I think that's nice to hear."
Frenkie de Jong added about the midfielder: "I think he has a lot of talent, but I don't think it's smart to say things about that right now."
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