Real Madrid’s carefully planned recruitment strategy has met an unexpected challenge, as competition heats up for one of Europe’s most exciting young midfielders.
Kees Smit, the highly rated 19-year-old currently shining for AZ Alkmaar, is quickly becoming one of the most talked-about prospects on the continent. While the Spanish giants have been tracking his progress for some time, their path toward a future deal is no longer as clear as it once seemed.
Reports from Spain suggest that Newcastle United have emerged as serious contenders in the race for Smit’s signature. The Premier League side have identified the Dutch midfielder as a key target and see him as a player who could shape their midfield for years to come. That level of intent has added real pressure to Real Madrid’s long-term plans, especially with so many elite clubs now circling the same player.
At this stage, a move during the January transfer window looks very unlikely. Newcastle are fully aware that trying to sign Smit midway through the season would come at a huge cost, both financially and in terms of negotiation difficulty.
Despite investing heavily in recent windows, the club are being careful with their spending this winter. Sources close to the situation indicate that Newcastle are not prepared to go beyond the £40 million mark in January, even for a player they rate so highly.
That figure falls well short of AZ Alkmaar’s expectations. The Dutch club have placed a valuation of around €60 million on Smit, reflecting both his current performances and his enormous potential.
From AZ’s point of view, there is little incentive to sell now, especially when the player continues to develop and attract interest from across Europe. This gap between what Newcastle are willing to pay and what AZ are demanding is one of the biggest reasons a winter transfer is seen as almost impossible.
Real Madrid find themselves in a similar position. Although they admire Smit and believe he fits perfectly into their long-term vision, the club are in no rush to act.
Madrid have built a reputation for patience in the transfer market, preferring to move when the timing feels right rather than being forced into expensive deals. January is rarely a window in which they make major signings, particularly for young players who are still developing.
What both Real Madrid and Newcastle agree on is just how crowded the race has become. Smit’s rise has not gone unnoticed, and interest is coming from almost every major league in Europe.
Scouts from top clubs have been watching him closely, impressed by his composure, technical ability, and maturity well beyond his years. For a midfielder so young, his consistency and confidence on the ball stand out, making it easy to understand why so many clubs are keen.
For Newcastle, the plan appears to be one of patience rather than panic. If Smit remains at AZ Alkmaar until the end of the season, the club are expected to return with a stronger push in the summer.
By then, they may have more flexibility in their budget and a clearer idea of how the squad needs to evolve. However, even in the summer, any deal would still require meeting AZ’s high asking price, which will not be easy.
Real Madrid, meanwhile, remain calm. They trust their project, their pull, and their ability to convince top young talents to choose the Bernabeu when the moment arrives. While Newcastle’s interest adds a new layer of complexity, Madrid are confident that patience and careful planning will serve them well in the long run.
For now, Kees Smit stays where he is, continuing his development in the Eredivisie and growing his reputation with every performance. The next few months will be crucial, not just for his progress on the pitch, but also for shaping the transfer battle that looks set to define his future.
One thing is clear: both Real Madrid and Newcastle United see him as a special talent, and when the time is right, the fight to sign him could become one of the most talked-about stories in European football.
