The January transfer window is almost here, and Newcastle United are once again at the centre of growing speculation as they look for ways to lift their Premier League campaign. With less than two days to go before the window opens, the club’s recruitment team is weighing up its options carefully, knowing that smart decisions now could shape the second half of the season.
Injuries have played a huge part in Newcastle’s struggles. Eddie Howe has been forced to cope with a severe defensive crisis, with Tino Livramento, Kieran Trippier, Dan Burn, Sven Botman, Emil Krafth and Jamaal Lascelles all currently unavailable.
That level of disruption would test any squad, and it has left Newcastle short of both numbers and balance at the back. Lewis Hall, for example, has no natural replacement at left-back, which underlines just how thin the options have become.
For that reason alone, it is widely expected that defensive reinforcements will be high on the club’s January shopping list.
However, defence may not be the only area under consideration. Newcastle are also keeping a close eye on the midfield market, and one name continues to stand out: Kees Smit.
The 19-year-old AZ Alkmaar midfielder has enjoyed a breakout season in the Eredivisie, catching attention across Europe with a series of mature and confident performances.
His displays have not gone unnoticed in England either, particularly after he impressed against Crystal Palace in the Conference League, where he showed both composure and authority well beyond his years.
Smit’s rise has been rapid, and AZ are fully aware of the growing interest in their young star. While some clubs believe a fee in the region of £40 million could be enough to secure his signature, the Dutch club are thought to be holding out for more.
That stance could make a January deal difficult, potentially pushing any serious move back to the summer when budgets are bigger and negotiations less rushed.
If Newcastle were to push ahead with a midfield signing this month, it would likely require a departure to balance the books and maintain squad harmony. Joe Willock has been linked with a move to Crystal Palace, but his recent performances suggest he still has a valuable role to play at St James’ Park.
That complicates matters, as Howe is reluctant to weaken one area of the team while trying to strengthen another.
What makes Smit such an intriguing prospect is how highly he is rated within recruitment circles. His potential is not just based on highlight clips or short-term form, but on deeper analysis of his playing style and impact.
Data-based tools that compare player profiles have drawn some striking parallels between Smit and Arsenal midfielder Declan Rice. While no two players are identical, the similarities in their all-round game, positional intelligence, and ability to influence matches from midfield are hard to ignore.
Rice, of course, joined Arsenal for £100 million in 2023 and has since established himself as one of the Premier League’s standout performers.
Seeing Smit mentioned in the same breath, even from a stylistic perspective, says a lot about his ceiling. Liverpool’s Dominik Szoboszlai also appears among the players with comparable traits, further highlighting the level at which Smit is already being assessed.
For Newcastle, the idea of signing a player with that kind of profile for a fraction of Rice’s fee is incredibly appealing.
If the Magpies can find a way to land Smit for significantly less than the sums now standard for elite midfielders, they could be securing one of European football’s most exciting young talents. It would be a bold move, but one that fits the club’s long-term vision.
As January approaches, the question is not just whether Newcastle need reinforcements, but whether they are ready to take a calculated gamble that could pay off for years to come.
