Newcastle United fans who were hoping to see Kees Smit sign for the club in January could be about to have their dreams shattered.
Geordie Boot Boys understand that Newcastle United are interested in signing Smit, who has starred for AZ Alkmaar this season.
The 19-year-old has started all but one of his side’s 14 Eredivisie games as they push for automatic Champions League qualification.
If Kieran Trippier isn’t Newcastle United’s best-ever January transfer signing, who is?
Smit has drawn comparisons to Kevin De Bruyne and Newcastle are interested in a move for the teenager.
Still, it seems a January transfer is unlikely.
Kees Smit now expected to stay at AZ Alkmaar this season
According to Mike McGrath of The Daily Telegraph on social media X, Smit is likely to stay at his current club for the entirety of the season.
Alkmaar are ready to demand around £53million for Smit, but McGrath suggests that his value will only rise by the time the summer transfer window rolls around.
It’s also said that Newcastle see Smit as an eventual signing but a midseason move may not be in the offing.
Bayern Munich, Barcelona and Real Madrid have all been previously credited with an interest, too.
If not Kees Smit, which midfielder should Newcastle sign in January?
Feel free to name your DREAM and REALISTIC signing….
What Newcastle United need to do next as Kees Smit dream fades
The January transfer window needs to be explored for the first time in three years on Tyneside.
Despite a significant summer outlay, the Newcastle United squad looks stretched in several areas.
In an ideal world, a player on the up like Smit would arrive. However, it now seems as if the club will need to wait until the summer transfer window before they make a move.
Newcastle’s transfer priority in January has to be at full-back. The drop-off in the team’s performances when Lewis Hall and Tino Livramento aren’t in the side is just too alarming.
Newcastle want to sign a full-back and a midfielder in January, but the latter now looks more difficult given the Smit news.
With that in mind, they must pivot and focus their attention on landing a full-back.
Kieran Trippier and Dan Burn are fine players but, given their age, they just cannot offer what Livramento and Hall have in abundance.
It’s a shame to see Smit likely staying put but Newcastle can still enjoy a strong January transfer window if they sign a full-back.