Craig Hope expects Newcastle to try and sign their top transfer target in January

Newcastle United may still have hope when it comes to trying to sign Kees Smit from AZ Alkmaar in January. 

For the first time in years, the January transfer window could be an exciting time for Newcastle United fans. 

Indeed, the club may have money to spend in the New Year sales at long last, and Smit has been touted as a leading target. 

The 19-year-old midfielder has starred for Alkmaar this season, appearing in almost every minute of their Eredivisie campaign.

Major clubs from around Europe have all been linked with the teenager and reports have claimed that Smit is set to stay at Alkmaar for the rest of the season. 

However, it seems Newcastle may not be giving up hope just yet.

Newcastle United could make January move for top target Kees Smit

That’s because, according to Craig Hope of The Daily Mail on YouTube, Newcastle could still make a move for Smit.  

Hope did admit that Auxerre midfielder Kevin Danois is a potential back-up if the club can’t land Smit, but the journalist does seem confident that Newcastle will try their luck. 

“The transfer exclusive I teased at the start [of the video], that is Kevin Danois, the 21-year-old Auxerre midfielder is on the list as backup if they can’t do the deal for Kees Smit,” he said.

“Now, Kees Smit, this is a story I broke a couple of weeks ago, 19-year-old is an AZ Alkmaar midfielder.

“Newcastle will, I believe, make an attempt to sign him in January, but Danois, 21-year-old French under-21 international is another one they’re looking at.

“So yeah, guys, note the name Kevin Danois but for now I believe Kees Smit still that number one target.”

Kees Smit’s style of play explained amid Newcastle United transfer links

This season, Smit has operated in a variety of central midfield roles.

The bulk of his 24 appearances (16) have come as a traditional central midfielder. From that position, he’s scored two goals while registering three assists.

Smit has also been deployed as a defensive midfielder four times. Interestingly, he’s also made two appearances as an attacking midfielder, recording one assist from that berth.

Dutch football is generally seen as more fluid than the traditionally English style of play, with iconic Ajax manager Rinus Michels largely given the credit for helping create the ‘Total Football’ style of play in the 1960s and 1970s.

The glorious Ajax team who won three European cups between 1970 and 1973 had players who were flexible in playing in several different positions.

In a more modern context, Smit’s style of play has been compared to Manchester City legend Kevin De Bruyne’s.  

A rising star, Smit looks like exactly the kind of player Newcastle should be signing.

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