At first, no one was really talking about Kees Smit. But as last season went on at AZ Alkmaar, he started getting noticed. He played often, scored a few, and was involved in a lot of their attacks.
That kind of output is rare from a teenager in his first full campaign, but Smit wasn’t merely hanging around it was his breakout moment.
He didn’t just make up the numbers; he delivered when it mattered, gradually becoming one of the Eredivisie’s most exciting young midfielders.
During the U19 Euros this past June, Smit didn’t just show up, he ran the show. He didn’t just help the Dutch side win the title, he played a big role. Scoring some crucial goals and constantly creating chances, he turned up throughout the tournament.
By the end of the tournament, he wasn’t just the top scorer, he was also named the best player. That’s when he began to be noticed by big teams around Europe.
Why Top Clubs Are Chasing Him
Smit’s rise hasn’t escaped the attention of Europe’s elite. Real Madrid and Barcelona have approached, and in a recent talk with HLN Nieuws, Smit didn’t hide how much those names mean to him.
He said, “Those are great things. The two biggest clubs in the world… I thought it was nice to see and read about. The interest from Barça and Real is positive, but if I go there, I don’t know how many times I’ll play.”
Real Madrid especially are watching closely. Diario AS reports they’re ready to advance negotiations in the coming weeks, positioning Smit as part of their long-term midfield plans under Xabi Alonso.
Meanwhile, Barcelona have apparently tracked him throughout the season and may need to pay around €25 million if they want to tie him down.
Manchester City have scouts reportedly attending his games, and according to TeamTalk, they, along with Liverpool, Chelsea, Tottenham, Bayern Munich, RB Leipzig, and Marseille, are all in pursuit.
What Makes Smit More Than Just a Name on a Rumour List
It’s tempting to reduce young players to stats and potential, but with Smit, his quality shows in how he plays as much as what he achieves.
From what I’ve seen, he isn’t just effective, he’s versatile. He can drop deep, push forward box-to-box, or slide into a number 10 role.
Mundo Deportivo labeled him “a complete midfielder” with standout technique. And that’s no fluff. His first touch, passing range, vision. They all look like they’ve been trained for years at top level.
I watched him in that U19 final: under pressure, he held the ball, scanned the field, and delivered passes that broke lines. Pro Sport Agent spoke of his “elite ball control, exceptional vision and ability to break the press by driving forward.”
That shows up in moments where he just didn’t back down. When others might’ve panicked, he sped the team up or dropped the tempo, calmly dictating the flow.
He’s not just a distributor, though he scores too. Notching 10 goals in the league was impressive enough, but seeing him find the net four times in a tournament final showed he can handle pressure. And don’t forget that goal from the halfway line against Barcelona in the Youth League two years ago.
That wasn’t for the cameras just straight-up instinct and confidence.
He’s only 18, but you’d never know it watching him. He’s about six foot but what really matters is how he plays. He knows how to use his body, leans into challenges, shields the ball like a seasoned pro, and never shies away from a bit of contact.
You watch him and think this lad’s been in a few scraps. For his age, the way he deals with physical pressure is honestly impressive. Doesn’t shy away from it at all.
For coaches, players like this are gold. He’s always moving off the ball, always thinking two or three steps ahead. He rarely overplays, and almost always picks the right pass just when it’s needed. His football intelligence is rare for someone his age.
Smit’s Own Words: Grounded, Focused And Real
Despite all the noise, Kees Smit has stayed clear-headed. Speaking to HLN Nieuws, he admitted he’s flattered by the attention from Real and Barça but he’s also cautious.
He doesn’t want to move somewhere he might barely play. Instead, he wants to show his quality at AZ:
“First, I want to show here that I can do well and be important… I haven’t shown everything I can do at AZ. I could’ve scored more goals. This year will be different, but I have to play.”
In other words: the hype is real, but he’s more interested in minutes than headlines. At AZ, he has space to grow and prove himself something a move to a megaclub wouldn’t guarantee.
What AZ Is Thinking
AZ Alkmaar aren’t planning to let him go cheaply. With a contract that runs until 2028, they’re in charge of his path.
Reports suggest they’ll hold firm on a price tag of around €25 million maybe even more if a bidding war kicks in. It’s smart business: let him grow some more, then cash in.
This also gives AZ leverage on when and how he leaves. Another year of development, more exposure in Europe by the time he leaves, the price tag could jump significantly.
The Big Clubs’ Dilemma
For Real Madrid and Barcelona, it’s about bets and timing. Madrid see him as a long-term successor for Luka Modrić’s style, an intelligent midfielder who can do it all. Barcelona have gaps in their midfield, but financial constraints add complexity to their decisions.
Manchester City might offer more structured rotation under Pep Guardiola maybe a quicker path to minutes. Meanwhile, English clubs like United, Chelsea, and Tottenham all need midfield talent but come with their own risks squad depth might limit starts, or club instability might be a factor.
For any of them, the key is clear: show him a path to playing time, not just a shiny transfer.
Fans and Experts React
Fans are already taking sides. City supporters are excited:
“A young AZ midfielder with his vision? If City can actually give him minutes, he could be the next midfield star.”
Barça fans, cautious but hopeful, point out he fits the mold of a technical, versatile midfielder. But with tight budgets, it’s about choosing their moments.
Real Madrid fans? They’re dreaming: imagine another Modrić-style player in white.
Tactical analysts are joining in. One scout called him “a hybrid part Modrić, part De Jong,” and that rings true when he’s anchoring a press or stepping into space with a decisive pass.
A Personal Moment That Says It All
Watching him in that U19 final, I remember the calm. As tension built, Smit orchestrated moves with poise. He slowed it down, then suddenly pushed forward. And that rooftop finish collected the ball just outside the box, took a touch, and placed it in the corner. I didn’t need replays to recognise it, that was the genuine article.
It’s the kind of moment that you cannot forget easily, not because it was dramatic, but because it make sense. Simple, clever, and quietly brilliant.
So, What Happens Next?
Smit himself says he’s staying at AZ for now. He wants to grow, get better, and dominate at home. With preseason ramping up, expect AZ to rebuild around him maybe even extend his contract to protect their asset.
Come August, expect serious offers to land. Clubs will need to show real plans: minutes, development not just prestige. If he stays another year, both Smit and AZ win: he shines brighter, and they raise his value.
If he moves, it’ll be to somewhere that sees the big picture a chance to build him into their midfield backbone, not stash him in the reserves.
Why This Move Matters
For Smit, this summer is big not just for his career, but for how midfielders develop. His path away from early megabucks and toward gradual progress echoes the successful models of Frenkie de Jong and Donny van de Beek. It shows ambition, patience, and footballing maturity.
For the clubs, it’s a test: are they building for the long term? Do they trust youth? Can they offer more than money? Smit’s choice could tell us a lot about who’s ready to invest smartly in youth development.
Wanderlustsport Verdict
Kees Smit is more than a name on a shortlist he’s a serious talent with a balanced head, real skill, and ambition. You can tell there’s something grounded about Kees Smit. It’s the way he carries himself you can tell he’s not trying to act big. He knows he’s still in the beginning of his career.
When reporters asked about the big clubs watching him, he didn’t make it a thing. Just gave a chill answer and moved on. He just said,
“First, I want to show here that I can do well and be important.”
That’s a kid who’s got his feet on the ground and his eyes on the long game.
The summer will show who can convince him. But whichever club lands him won’t just get a 19-year-old, it’ll get someone already thinking like a veteran on the pitch.