Liverpool have been mostly quiet on the transfer front this January, but rumours are swirling around a Dutch midfielder also wanted by Real Madrid.
In terms of potential winter moves, there has been little to get excited about. The Marc Guehi deal has stalled, now looking more likely to happen in the summer if at all.
Liverpool stocked up on attackers during the summer, and likely won’t be considering any further reinforcements up front.
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Hugo Ekitike smiles after Eintracht Frankfurt win. Kenny Dalglish on the pitch for Liverpool FC v Wolverhampton Wanderers - Premier League
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The midfield hasn’t really been touched since that busy 2023 window, which saw Alexis Mac Allister, Dominik Szoboszlai and Ryan Gravenberch arrive at Anfield.
Signing a depth option there is definitely not a bad idea, but the player currently being linked with a move isn’t what this Liverpool fan had in mind.
Liverpool set to rival Real Madrid for Kees Smit
We learned back in November that AZ Alkmaar wonderkid Kees Smit was on Liverpool’s radar.
The 19-year-old has been making waves in the Eredivisie as a skilful, attack-minded number 8 who has attracted attention from several of Europe’s top clubs.
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Who is Kees Smit?
Name: Kees Smit
Age: 19
Club: AZ Alkmaar
Position: Central midfield/Defensive midfield
Senior appearances: 50
Senior goals: 4
Nationality: Dutch
Kees Smit applauds fans after AZ Alkmaar's Eredivisie match against PSV Eindhoven
Photo by Wart Brinkerhof/Marcel ter Bals/DeFodi Images/DeFodi via Getty Images
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According to the Daily Star, Smit is a player Liverpool are seriously considering.
They report: “Liverpool seem set to engage in a bidding war for Kees Smit. The AZ Alkmaar sensation has been turning heads in the Eredivisie recently, prompting the Reds to keep tabs on him.
“However, the downside is that Real Madrid are also reportedly interested in the midfielder. With a staggering £52m price tag, whoever secures the young prodigy could end up shelling out even more to outbid the competition.”
There’s no doubt Smit is an exceptional prospect, and comparisons to Pedri — while hyperbole — are warranted.
No fan would be put out to see him come to Anfield, but there are reasons to question the profile as it pertains to Liverpool’s needs.
Liverpool need a different profile of midfielder than Kees Smit
Let’s quickly run through the midfield options Arne Slot has at his disposal.
Curtis Jones and Alexis Mac Allister can be grouped together, as possession-oriented midfielders with heaps of technical ability and deceptively combative tendencies. Smit falls under this umbrella.
Dominik Szoboszlai is a unique, jack-of-all-trades midfielder to whom comparisons are difficult to make.
Then you have Ryan Gravenberch, a silky 6 who is really more of an 8, but is Liverpool’s holding midfielder. Wataru Endo behind him looks destined for an exit in the near future.
Ryan Gravenberch of Liverpool celebrates scoring his team's first goal with teammate Dominik Szoboszlai during the Premier League match between Newcastle United and Liverpool at St James' Park
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For the more advanced 10 role, you have Florian Wirtz, who is set to be the focal point of Liverpool’s attack. Slot wants to give Trey Nyoni more minutes, which would be in those sort of areas.
With Endo likely to depart, the clear gap in Liverpool’s midfield unit is in that 6 role.
Liverpool need to sign defenders next summer, meaning there won’t be loads of room to manoeuvre in the engine room. A more traditional holding midfielder who can challenge Gravenberch and maybe even fill in at the back feels like the smarter move.
Someone in the mould of a Kimmich, or even a Caicedo.
Smit is an exciting talent, and one who would be welcomed at Liverpool, but at a fee exceeding ÂŁ50 million, he might not be the smartest buy for what Slot needs in his squad.
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