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Liverpool have to wait until the summer now to bring in some new faces to bolster their ranks
Liverpool ended up having a pretty quiet January transfer window. They didn’t sign any senior players and will stick with what they have until the summer. The Reds did sign youngsters Mor Talla Ndiaye and Noah Adekoya though for their development ranks.
On the outgoings front, James Norris was sold to Shelbourne, whilst Luke Chambers, Lewis Koumas and Calum Scanlon were loaned out. Meanwhile, James McConnell, James Balagizi, Owen Beck and Harvey Davies returned to Anfield. Arne Slot’s side face Manchester City at home this weekend.
Liverpool keen on AZ Almaar star Kees Smit
Liverpool hold an ‘interest’ in £52million-rated AZ Alkmaar midfielder Kees Smit, according to CaughtOffside. The Reds are being linked with the Eredivisie star ahead of the 2026/27 season. However, the report adds that Arsenal, Manchester United and Real Madrid are also keen meaning there is strong competition for the player’s signature.
Smit, 20, is under contract with his current club until June 2028. That means he still has a couple of years left to run down on his deal and they are under no pressure to sell him. He is being tipped for a bright future in the game and is highly rated.
The youngster has made 31 appearances for AZ in this campaign, 18 of which have come in the league, and he has chipped in with three goals and five assists. He has been on the books at the AFAS Stadion for his whole career to date. The Holland youth international rose up through their academy and was a regular at various different youth levels before bursting into the first-team back in 2024.
Will Liverpool snap up Kees Smit this summer?
Liverpool could see Smit as someone to boost their midfield department. If he joined, he would provide more competition and depth in the middle of the park down the line. In addition, he could battle it out with the likes of Alexis Mac Allister, Ryan Gravenberch and Curtis Jones for a place in their starting XI.
Journalist Fabrizio Romano has recently shared this update on the Reds’ links with Smit on his YouTube channel: “Then many questions, Kees Smit and Liverpool. Guys, there are all the big clubs in England on Kees Smit and also Spain, including Real Madrid and not only them. So it’s going to be a big battle for Kees Smit, but not for this window. The deal is expected to happen in the summer.
“If something changes guys, I will be here to tell you. But my expectation is not for any changes in this window (January) for Kees Smit, he is a story for the summer, and it’s going to be huge with Jorge Mendes as the agent controlling that.”
AZ will be delighted to have kept hold of Smit last month. However, their resolve will be tested again when this term ends amid attention from the likes of Liverpool, Arsenal and Manchester United, as well as Real Madrid. Time will tell whether the Reds lodge a bid for his signature.
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