‘Dutch Pedri’ makes feelings on record transfer clear as two Premier League clubs rival Real Madrid

Newcastle and Crystal Palace are in competition with Real Madrid in the race to sign AZ Alkmaar starlet Kees Smit.

The 19-year-old midfielder is regarded as one of the hottest prospects in European football having burst on the scene in 2023.

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After scoring ten goals in 46 appearances for AZ’s reserve team, Smit has now established himself as a stalwart in the senior side.

He has chipped in with two goals and five assists from 27 outings in all competitions this term.

His fine form has led to him being tipped to be included in the Netherlands‘ World Cup squad next summer.

And his dazzling displays have caught the interest of a host of top clubs ahead of what would be a record-breaking AZ sale.

Smit of all right

talkSPORT understands that Champions League rivals Real and Newcastle are the two clubs most interested in prising the teenager away from Holland.

While the Eagles are also eyeing up a potential swoop in what would be a major coup for the south London outfit.

Any suitor wishing to snap up Smit’s services will have to pay over £22million.

That would represent a record fee for an AZ player, which stands at £21.8m when they sold now-Manchester City star Tijjani Reijnders to AC Milan in 2023.

Smit himself has declared he intends to embark on a new chapter away from the AFAS Stadion before his contract expires in 2028.

Speaking to De Telegraaf about his future plans, he said: “How long do I see myself at AZ?

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“I think six months or a year-and-a-half, after that, I hope to have taken the next step.

“I expect my transfer to be completed for €30m.

“It would be AZ’s most expensive signing and would be good for the club.

“My next step is outside of the Netherlands, I don’t find it difficult to deal with [the speculation].

“In fact, I think it’s wonderful and I’ve started thinking about it.”

Such is Smit’s ceiling in the game, Netherlands boss Ronald Koeman recently compared him to Barcelona maestro Pedri – the 2021 Golden Boy and Kopa Trophy winner.

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Koeman remarked in November: “I have to be careful with what I say, but I coached Pedri at Barcelona and I see things from him in Kees Smit.

“The turns, the use of both feet, the vision of the game, that’s what I saw in Pedri back then.

“What he is showing at such a young age is impressive.

“If he achieves half of what Pedri has achieved in his career, everyone in Holland will be happy.”