The Magpies continue to be linked with a move for teenage midfielder Kees Smit
AZ midfielder Kees Smit (L) and Arsenal star Declan Rice (R)
AZ midfielder Kees Smit (L) and Arsenal star Declan Rice (R)
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The January transfer window opens in less than 48 hours' time and Newcastle may make some moves as they look to improve their Premier League position.
The Magpies are in the midst of a defensive injury crisis with Tino Livramento, Kieran Trippier, Dan Burn, Sven Botman, Emil Krafth and Jamaal Lascelles all out injured.
Lewis Hall has no natural alternative at left-back, too, so it is expected Newcastle will enter the transfer market for defensive reinforcements.
But they could move for a new midfielder as well and AZ teenager Kees Smit is known to be on the club's radar. Smit, 19, has dazzled in the Eredivisie this season and caught the eye in England with his performance in the Conference League against Crystal Palace.
It is believed AZ will be holding out for more than the £40million valuation some of his suitors have for him and that could well delay any move until the summer.
If Newcastle were to make a move in January, it would almost certainly see a midfielder sold on. Joe Willock has been linked with Crystal Palace but he has impressed when given an opportunity in recent weeks.
But Smit is extremely highly rated in recruitment circles and his potential is undoubted and that is shown when you look at players who have similar characteristics to him.
Using DataMB's player similarity generator tool to bring up players with similar characteristics to Smit, Arsenal and England midfielder Declan Rice emerges as one of the five most similar players to his game.
Of course, Rice joined Arsenal for £100million in the summer of 2023 and has developed into arguably the best midfielder in the Premier League. Liverpool midfielder Dominik Szoboszlai also ranks in the top five, too.
If Newcastle can land Smit for more than half that price then they could unearth one of the biggest gems in European football.
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