Newcastle United’s hopes of signing Kees Smit in January have been dealt a huge blow following Fabrizio Romano’s latest reveal.
Ahead of the January transfer window, the teenage Smit is a player in demand.
The AZ Alkmaar midfielder has been linked with several top clubs around European football and Newcastle United are one of them.
Indeed, Newcastle hope they can sign Smit in January, although actually doing so will be difficult.
Which player do you regret selling more – Elliot Anderson or Yankuba Minteh?
Thanks, PSR 😡
The central midfielder has starred this season and has previously been compared to the likes of Pedri and Kevin De Bruyne.
Smit is certainly an ambitious transfer target and the Magpies reportedly hope that an aggressive mid-season approach could be a way of moving to the front of the queue.
However, Romano believes AZ simply cannot be strong-armed into a mid-season sale.
Fabrizio Romano claims Newcastle United will fail in January move for Kees Smit
The noted transfer insider was speaking about Smit’s immediate future on his YouTube channel.
Romano believes Newcastle – or anyone else looking to sign him in January – simply won’t be able to.
AZ are believed to have rejected proposals worth around €60m (roughly £52million), although Romano didn’t reveal which clubs had been in contact.
“All the top clubs are interested,” he said.
“Real Madrid have been scouting the player, for sure. Clubs in England have been scouting the player, for sure. Top, top clubs in England.
“All the top clubs are scouting this boy. When you see, in the media, €45-50million for Kees Smit, what I can guarantee to you today is that AZ Alkmaar are absolutely not selling the player for €45-50million.
Who is the best opposition player you’ve ever seen play at St James’ Park?
Pedri would up there…
“Way more is needed to sell the player. Not in this January transfer window. Sources tell me that AZ have already received proposals for something around eventually €60million and AZ said no.
“So, for them, the player is worth way more than the reported €45-50million. The price is higher.
“So, for Kees Smit, there is a lot of interest, several clubs keen. In Spain, Real Madrid. In England, all the top clubs.
“There is a lot of attention on this boy, he’s going to join a top, top, top, top club for sure.
“At this stage, it’s still not a deal for the January transfer window.”
Kees Smit has already confirmed when he will leave AZ Alkmaar
The player himself has recently been speaking to Dutch outlet, De Telegraaf.
Smit, a brilliantly gifted midfield technician, was asked some interesting questions.
Firstly, he was asked how long he is going to stay at AZ, to which he replied: “I think six months, or a year and a half. After that, I hope to have made a good move.”
Secondly, he was quizzed on where he may go next. When asked if his next club will be outside of the Netherlands, the teenager said: “Yes, I think so.”
Newcastle have drawn up a list of alternative signings to Smit, which is believed to include the likes of Lamine Camara, Kevin Danois and Javi Guerra of Monaco, Auxerre and Valencia respectively.
Sign up to TalkingPoints for free to join the conversation about all things Newcastle United with Geordie Boot Boys!