NUFC transfers - will the Magpies be active in January? 🤔
The truth about Kees Smit links to Newcastle United - and whether they can do a deal for the Dutch wonderkid.
Newcastle United have been linked with a move for Dutch sensation Kees Smit in recent weeks - but where does the prospect of any deal stand right now?
Here we take a look at the truth behind the links - and assess whether the Magpies could sign the player, or this could be another one consigned to the scrap heap.
Kees Smit to NUFC - the truth about the deal
Last summer, Newcastle were confident of doing a deal for Smit, hoping to steal a march on his many suitors, but AZ Alkmaar did not want the player to leave.
United were hopeful a deal could be done in January, and felt because of their long-standing interest and groundwork done on the deal that they could again steal in to take one of the brightest midfield talents on the planet right now from under the noses of the great and good of world football.
But it appears as if that is now highly unlikely.
Newcastle’s main selling point to Smit was that he would NOT be loaned out or seen as a development player, instead he would be thrust right into the first-team squad and seen as a key player immediately. This is thought to be something that appeals to Smit and his representatives.
However, there’s expected to be stiff competition for Smit in the summer, and that is highly likely to be to Newcastle’s disadvantage.
The asking price for Smit is expected to be over £40million in the summer. Newcastle remain at the table for the player, but with the likes of Real Madrid and Liverpool also in for him, a summer bidding war would not suit the Magpies.
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.”
Ross Wilson on January transfer window
Speaking to supporters last month, new Toon sporting director Wilson confirmed there is money in the kitty if needed. He said: “The scouting work is always ongoing,” Wilson explained. “So, the guys are doing loads of work with that all the time. Can we spend in January? Yes. If we want to, we can.
“It’s obvious to everybody given the level of club spend in the summer that we’re not going to do that again in the winter window as well, for a variety of reasons. But if we want to spend, we can.
“Of course, we’ll be creative, of course we’ll be opportunistic as well. But probably the most important thing is that it would have to align with what the summer plan looks like, which is the bigger squad plan. All of those conversations are ongoing.
“We’ll have the ones about where Eddie sees the need in the squad, if at all. But for now, the conversations have been, ‘What have we got, what do we think about what we’ve got, where do we see this’, then let’s see how that fits into January and the next part of the conversation.”
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