Liverpool could agree ‘club record’ deal for ‘special’ player Arne Slot knows well
Liverpool are interested in signing AZ Alkmaar midfielder Kees Smit ahead of the January transfer window and have been told what it would take to land him.
The 19-year-old is attracting interest from a number of Europe’s elite clubs, with Real Madrid and Barcelona keeping tabs on Smit, and the Reds have now joined the race.
As I revealed on the latest edition of Football Insider’s Inside Track podcast, Liverpool would have to pay around £25million to lure the midfielder away from his boyhood club, a fee which would become the Dutch outfit’s new club record sale.
Liverpool have been linked with a number of midfielders since the summer window, including the likes of Adam Wharton and Carlos Baleba, but Smit is now on their radar.
He is regarded as one of the brightest talents to come out of the Netherlands in recent years, and as a result, there is no shortage of interest in his signature.
Arne Slot to play key role in Liverpool’s Kees Smit pursuit
Former Man United chief scout Mick Brown told Football Insider on 20 November that Liverpool are interested in Smit thanks to Slot’s connections in the Netherlands.
The boss has previously managed AZ, and could utilise those links to agree a deal for Smit, as the Reds weigh up making a move in January.
As I explained on the Inside Track podcast, “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.”
Such is Smit’s talent, that former AZ winger Kenneth Perez was stunned by his performances and labelled him “special”. [via GOAL]
Leader named as Newcastle and Crystal Palace in race for Smit
Liverpool are not the only Premier League clubs keeping a close eye on Smit’s progress, as both Newcastle and Crystal Palace are interested in the midfielder.
Crystal Palace were wowed by Smit’s performance during their 3-1 Conference League win against AZ at Selhurst Park earlier this month.
However, former Everton CEO Keith Wyness told Football Insider on 19 November that Smit wants to join Newcastle despite the rival interest.
Eddie Howe has been keen to bolster his midfield options in the mid-season window amid concerns about the depth behind his current starting trio.
Meanwhile, Football Insider revealed on 10 November that Newcastle are considering replacing Joelinton as a result of his inconsistent performances so far this season.
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