Barcelona, Real Madrid among elite clubs scouting 19-year-old Dutch jewel

Kees Smit is extensively considered one of the gifted younger midfielders coming by way of in Europe.

Simply 19 years outdated, the midfielder has turn out to be a everlasting fixture within the AZ Alkmaar first-team setup, whereas he was additionally key to the Netherlands nationwide crew successful the U19 European Championship earlier this 12 months.

The teen’s continued optimistic improvement has seemingly put him on the radars of a number of prime golf equipment, together with FC Barcelona.

Barcelona ship scouts to watch Kees Smit

Certainly, in keeping with Matteo Moretto on Radio MARCA, Barcelona are amongst a bunch of elite groups to have despatched scouts to look at Kees Smit in motion for AZ.

Aside from the Blaugrana, their arch-rivals, Actual Madrid, are additionally monitoring the Dutch midfield expertise, who may very well be poised for a giant transfer in the summertime of 2026.

Furthermore, Atletico Madrid, Chelsea, and Manchester Metropolis have additionally had scouts current at AZ’s latest video games to look at the 19-year-old Dutch jewel in motion.

Barcelona might have a bonus

Regardless of the widespread curiosity in Smit, Barcelona might need an edge within the switch race, contemplating that the teen has gone on document about how the Catalans are his favorite crew.

“I watch nearly each Barcelona match. It’s merely my favorite membership,” Smit mentioned in an interview in November.

Concerning him being in comparison with Barcelona celebrity Pedri by Netherlands supervisor Ronald Koeman, the teen mentioned:

“If he thinks so, possibly I’m. I wasn’t anticipating it, however I believe it’s an excellent comparability. I perceive that folks discovered it a quite unusual comparability.

“Earlier than I used to be De Bruyne and now I’m Pedri (laughs). Or Frenkie de Jong.”

Smit’s contract with AZ runs till the summer season of 2028, and in case of a switch subsequent summer season, he’s prone to value round €25 million.