Newcastle United are ‘ready to move’ for AZ Alkmaar talent Kees Smit, with the Geordies looking to add creativity to their ranks, according to the Daily Mail.
The Magpies have earmarked Smit, who has been attracting interest from some of the biggest European sides, as a potential addition to Eddie Howe’s side.
Newcastle are not the only team that has taken notes on the 19-year-old talent who put himself on the map earlier this year at the Under-19 European Championship.
Besides Newcastle, the Dutchman has garnered substantial interest from Real Madrid, Barcelona, Bayern Munich, Borussia Dortmund, and other major European clubs.
Smit is an all-action central midfielder who constantly moves and probes. He could be a brilliant pick-up for Newcastle.
In his 19 appearances this season, he has bagged two goals and four assists.
One minute, he drops deep to connect and string plays together, and the next, he picks up dangerous positions inside and outside, creating chaos in the opposition’s set-up.
The Toons could use a playmaker of his ilk in the ranks. They do not have central midfielders of his profile.
Newcastle should be pulling out all the stops to bring Smit to St James’ Park. He looks destined for a bright future, and this is only the beginning of his rise.
He’s already shown he can stand toe to toe with Premier League opposition, starring in AZ’s Conference League clash against Crystal Palace.
That performance underlined his composure, vision, and maturity beyond his years.
For a side looking to blend youth with ambition, Smit represents exactly the kind of signing that can define the next phase of Newcastle’s evolution under Howe.
With Europe’s elite circling, hesitation could be costly.
