Liverpool are now racing Real Madrid for the signature of a "very explosive" star, and they hold a key advantage over the Spanish club.
Reds quiet in January window after summer spending spree
After investing heavily during the previous summer transfer window, it was a quiet January for the Reds, and centre-back Jeremy Jacquet was the only major addition to the squad, but the Frenchman is not set to link up with his new teammates until the summer.
Arne Slot's side have undoubtedly fallen short of expectations this season, and with his side currently in sixth place, it is up in the air whether they will qualify for the Champions League, but Richard Hughes still believes the new signings will come good.
Hughes said: "All these players are here for a very good reason, they are top players. Everybody has played their part in getting them to the club and we were all very happy with what we did in the summer, not just me.
"As long as the players are the right ones in the first place, and we are absolutely convinced every time we bring someone in that they are, then the performances on the pitch will quickly follow."
Liverpool manager Arne Slot celebrates after the match
That perhaps explains why there was little movement this winter, but Liverpool are continuing to scour the market for reinforcements, and they are racing Real Madrid, Manchester United and Arsenal in the race for AZ Alkmaar star Kees Smit's signature.
That is according to a report from Caught Offside, which states the Reds explored a move for Smit during the January transfer window, and the midfielder's price could reach €75m (£65m) in the summer, amid widespread interest from some of Europe's top clubs.
Given the financial disparity between the Premier League and La Liga, the Reds are believed to have an advantage over Real Madrid in the race for the Dutchman.
jamie-carragher-arsenal-premier-league Related
[Carragher's a big fan: Liverpool eyeing summer move for "brilliant" £50m+ star](https://www.footballfancast.com/jamie-carragher-big-fan-liverpool-robin-roefs-transfer/ "Carragher's a big fan: Liverpool eyeing summer move for "brilliant" £50m+ star")
A deal could be expensive...
"Very explosive" Smit could be "fantastic signing"
Journalist Bence Bocsak has stated the 20-year-old would be a "fantastic signing" for Liverpool, explaining: "He’s exactly the kind of midfielder who’d thrive in a ball-dominant team because he is so progressive on the ball.
"He’s also very explosive and is able to quickly accelerate/change direction from a standing position, which is an underrated and rare trait."
The Heiloo-born midfielder has been a key player for AZ Alkmaar this season, contributing two goals and two assists in 18 Eredivisie outings, during which time he's also averaged 1.6 key passes per game, the third-highest number in the squad.
kees-smit-az-alkmaar
As such, Smit could be an exciting addition to Slot's squad this summer, but signing Crystal Palace's Adam Wharton may be lower risk, given that he is already proven in the Premier League, and it has now been revealed he wants to move to Anfield.