Liverpool don join plenty Premier League clubs wey dey eye AZ Alkmaar midfielder Kees Smit. TEAMtalk understand say scouts from the Reds and other English sides bin travel go England to watch the Dutch star this week as interest inside the 20-year-old continue to grow.
Smit bin dey part of the AZ side wey travel go Sunderland and lose 1-0 for Stadium of Light on Tuesday. Plenty Premier League scouts make the trip go Wearside to assess the highly-rated midfielder. The 20-year-old start the game and still produce another eye-catching display, even though AZ eventually lose the point to Enzo Le Fee late penalty for Regis Le Bris side.
Over the past 18 months, Smit don emerge as one of Europe most exciting young midfield talents. His performances keep am firmly on the radar of clubs across the continent. AZ also start the season strongly and currently sit second for Eredivisie, with Smit playing key role inside their impressive form.
His development become particularly notable since he break into AZ first team in 2024. The performances don attract sustained interest from England for more than two years. TEAMtalk understand say Liverpool be long-term admirers of Smit, and their representatives bin dey Wearside to check on him progress during AZ trip to Sunderland.
We also reveal say Chelsea, Tottenham, Nottingham Forest, Aston Villa, Crystal Palace and Brighton all dey in attendance. Smit na the main reason for their respective scouting visits. The sheer number of Premier League clubs monitoring the midfielder underline the level of interest wey don develop around the Netherlands international.
Smit bin dey expected to make a move during summer, but no transfer materialise despite strong interest from clubs across Europe. His situation also get complication by World Cup disappointment after he no make Ronald Koeman Netherlands squad, despite his impressive form and growing reputation.
That setback no reduce the interest inside the €60m, £51.5m, $69m rated star services. Premier League clubs continue to monitor him development closely, and Liverpool dey understood to dey front and centre as Andoni Iraola side ponder mid-season swoop for new midfielder. Liverpool interest particularly significant given their long-standing appreciation of Smit, while presence of so many other Premier League clubs at Sunderland show the competition wey fit emerge if AZ decide to consider offers.
BBC Sport also report say Liverpool watch the £51.5m-rated Netherlands midfielder when AZ Alkmaar face Sunderland for Europa League this week. Chelsea, Tottenham, Nottingham Forest and Aston Villa also among clubs keeping tabs on the 20-year-old.
The Reds dey understood to dey consider mid-season swoop for new midfielder, with Iraola concerned say him current options no fit bring him high-intensity press demands to life. The club don shortlist four potential options ahead of January window. Now e seem say, given their scouts bin dey there to check Smit in person, he too fit enter that list.
For now, Smit remain focused on him football with AZ, who dey challenge near top of Eredivisie. But him performances dey ensure say spotlight on the talented midfielder continue to grow. TEAMtalk understand say Premier League interest genuine and widespread, with Liverpool among clubs maintaining close watch on Smit as he continue him development. Tuesday trip to Sunderland provide another opportunity for clubs to assess am at close quarters, and number of scouts in attendance underline say him future remain firmly on radar of several English clubs.
