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Liverpool transfer target Kees Smit has opened up on his immediate transfer future.
In February, DaveOCKOP exclusively reported that Liverpool had held initial talks with the 20-year-old’s camp as they assessed midfield options ahead of the summer window, viewing Smit as a major long-term talent and monitoring AZ’s openness to a sale in the region of £30 million.
Since then, Smit’s stock has only risen. The Dutch youngster has enjoyed a true breakout campaign, making 26 Eredivisie appearances in 2025-26 with three goals and three assists, while also catching the eye in Europe by registering four assists across 10 UEFA Conference League games.
His performances have taken him to the brink of a first World Cup, with the midfielder included in the Netherlands’ preliminary squad before narrowly missing out on Ronald Koeman’s final 26-man selection.
Now speaking on his future, the Dutchman has admitted that he wouldn’t mind taking on a “new challenge” elsewhere:
“I wouldn’t mind staying at AZ and playing everything at 10 for a whole season, but I wouldn’t mind taking on a new challenge somewhere,” he said as quoted by Voetbal Primeur.
“Training at a higher level, playing at a higher level: of course that also makes you a better football player. So as far as I’m concerned, anything is possible.”
He added that it’s still relatively quiet regarding his future at the moment:
“It’s still quiet now. There are many clubs with interest, but it is not yet the case that clubs have come through completely. My head is not being made to spin, no. When the time comes, the time has come: either I stay here, or I leave. There is not much to say about that yet,” he said.
The 20-year-old also revealed that he wants to play as a pure No.10 should he remain at AZ in 2026/27:
“I think I can do much better than I showed last season,” says the midfielder.
“I have clearly expressed that, yes. Actually, I wanted to play there last year, but Sven [Mijnans] stayed and of course had to play too.”
“I think that’s almost one hundred percent certain,” he said in regard to Mijnans transfer. “So, there will be a spot available. If I stay, I want to become much more decisive for AZ as a 10. More taking the team in tow, more goals and assists… What Sven did last year, I want to do. Maybe even a little better.”
Smit’s contract runs until the summer of 2028, and the Dutch side are aware that this may be the last window in which they can demand a truly substantial fee before