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Pete O'Rourke, Transfer Correspondent

Sun 22 March 2026 7:15, UK

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Kees Smit is more likely to join either Liverpool or Arsenal than Newcastle United in the summer transfer window.

Smit is destined to join a team playing in the Champions League if he leaves Alkmaar in the upcoming summer window.

Liverpool and Arsenal are interested in signing him, while Newcastle have been linked with the 20-year-old for the last few months.

The Magpies’ likely lack of Champions League football next season is set to rule them out of the race for Smit, however, as I revealed on the latest edition of Football Insider’s Transfer Insider podcast.

Newcastle’s transfer plans are set to hinge on how they end the campaign, with Eddie Howe’s side sitting ninth in the Premier League right now ahead of their last eight games of the season.

Newcastle will find it tough to land Kees Smit ahead of Liverpool and Arsenal

Smit has registered four goals and seven assists in 39 appearances for AZ this season, with that fine form seeing several top clubs place him on their radar for the summer.

He received a maiden call-up for the senior Netherlands team this week as they prepare for friendlies against Norway and Ecuador, and a spot in their World Cup squad could await if he continues to shine.

Speaking on the Transfer Insider podcast, I explained: “I think it’ll be difficult for Newcastle to try and land a player like Smit in the summer.

“Obviously, he’s a player that has attracted interest from a number of top clubs across Europe with the form that he’s shown at AZ this season.

“Real Madrid, Barcelona, Liverpool and Arsenal are all being mentioned as potential destinations for Smit.

“Newcastle obviously, if they’re not able to offer Champions League football to potential transfer targets like Smit, it will harm their chances of signing him.”

Lamine Camara is set to leave Monaco as Newcastle continue scouting mission

Newcastle’s midfield could see a major overhaul this summer, with the respective futures of both Sandro Tonali and Bruno Guimaraes seeming unclear as it stands.

Joe Willock is another who could leave, following links away in January, and so the Magpies are clearly set to be in the market to sign a midfielder or two before next season.

Sources have told Football Insider that Newcastle target Lamine Camara could leave Monaco, as they are open to accepting offers for his services.

22-year-old Camara is a box-to-box midfielder who has registered four assists in 17 Ligue 1 games this season and is being scouted closely by Newcastle, so with Smit’s arrival all but ruled out, they may soon accelerate a move to land him this summer.