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Liverpool are among several clubs who have been linked with the teenage midfielder.
The general manager of a Dutch club has given an update on speculation over several players’ future with one linked with Liverpool.
The January transfer window opens in less than a month’s time and it remains to be seen whether the Reds will be active in the market. After winning the Premier League title last season, Liverpool have a significant squad overhaul in the summer. They spent around £450 million on the likes of Alexander Isak, Florian Wirtz and Hugo Ekitike, while players including Trent Alexander-Arnold, Luis Diaz and Darwin Nunez departed Anfield.
Liverpool have endured struggles in the 2025-26 season, with many feeling that their Premier League defence is already over. The Reds are nine points behind leaders Arsenal with 13 fixtures played.
Pedri comparison
The 19-year-old is already a regular starter for AZ Alkmaar. This season, he has recorded two goals and four assists in 22 games for De Kaasboeren, who are fourth in the Eredivisie. Smith’s playing styles has been compared to Barcelona star Pedri by Netherlands head coach Ronald Koeman. “I almost regret mentioning his name again [Pedri], but he’s a guy who plays in the same position.
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.”
AZ general manager Merijn Zeeman recently appeared on ESPN NL’s Goedemorgen Eredivisie (via Sport Witness) and discussed the future of several of the club’s players who have been linked with potential exits.
What’s been said
Zeeman claimed that it is unlikely that there will be any exits in January - but that could change come the summer. Zeeman said: “No, no. Zero interest. I can honestly say that. Anyway, it’s November, almost December. It seems pretty normal to me. Undoubtedly, things will pick up after the summer, but for now it’s still quiet.”
Smit has a reported value of £25 million by AZ. Per Transfermrkt, he has a market value of around £8.5 million.
Will Liverpool sign Smit?
Liverpool have shown that they are open to splashing out on fledgling talents who feel they can be an asset in the future. In the most recent transfer window, the Reds splashed out an initial fee of £26 million for Giovanni Leoni from Parma.
The 18-year-old centre-back had made only 17 senior appearances but displayed why Liverpool parted ways with such a significant sum during his debut. Leoni was highly impressive in a 2-1 Carabao Cup victory over Southampton before he suffered a devastating knee injury, which has ruled him out for the rest of the campaign.
If Liverpool feel that Smit is in a similar bracket to Leoni then they may make a move.
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