Liverpool are reportedly interested in signing highly-rated 19-year-old midfielder Kees Smit from AZ Alkmaar next year.
Kees Smit has been linked with multiple clubs in recent months, but Liverpool clearly have an edge in the transfer race. Liverpool manager Arne Slot has managed AZ Alkmaar in the past, and his connections could help the Premier League champions get the deal done.
Crystal Palace and Newcastle United want the player as well. However, Liverpool have a more ambitious project, and the connections of Slot will only make their job easier. Liverpool need more quality and depth in the middle of the park, and the 19-year-old would be a long-term acquisition for them.
The Premier League champions could groom him into an important player for the first team. The opportunity to join them will be exciting for the Dutchman as well. It would be a huge step up in his career, and he would get to test himself at a high level.
Pete O’Rourke told Football Insider, “Yeah, I’m sure Liverpool like a lot of the top European clubs are looking at Smit. He is very highly regarded, seen as one of the best young Dutch players to come through in recent years, he’s still only 19 but he’s a key player in that AZ team.
“He’s a player that Liverpool boss Arne Slot is well aware of with his Dutch connections, he’s obviously an ex-AZ manager so he’s aware of the talent of Smit. He’s certainly a player Liverpool will continue to keep tabs on. Maybe in the summer AZ might be more open to selling him but again it would be a big fee I think for them to sell him probably looking at a club record deal of excess of £25 million.”
Can Liverpool get the deal done?
It will be interesting to see if Liverpool can secure an agreement with the Eredivisie outfit in the coming months. If they can sign the player for a reasonable amount of money, the deal could look like a bargain in future. Smit is likely to cost around £25 million.
The Reds are looking to build a formidable team for the future, and signing one of the best young prospects in Dutch football would be quite exciting. The player could be attracted to the idea of joining Liverpool as well. They have a strong Dutch contingent at the club, and he will want to join up with them.
