Liverpool scouts tracked AZ Alkmaar midfielder Kees Smit during a recent Europa League match against Sunderland in England. The 20-year-old Dutch talent is valued around £51.5m and is drawing heavy interest from a group of Premier League clubs ahead of the January transfer window.
Liverpool’s recruitment department has zeroed in on one of Europe’s most promising young midfielders. Senior scouts connected to FSG traveled to watch AZ Alkmaar midfielder Kees Smit during his side’s Europa League fixture in England against Sunderland at the Stadium of Light.
That in-person scouting mission signals that interest in the 20-year-old has moved past casual monitoring. At this stage, the picture appears to be one of close monitoring rather than active negotiations, which is often how Liverpool operate in the market when younger players are involved. Extensive live checks, background work, and internal discussion tend to come before any formal approach, especially when a player’s valuation is already climbing. The presence of senior club representatives elevates the seriousness of the pursuit as the January transfer window approaches.
Premier League Interest and Valuation for Kees Smit
Liverpool are far from alone in tracking the Dutch youth international. Up to seven Premier League clubs are reportedly monitoring the situation as the first half of the campaign unfolds. According to TEAMtalk, a range of Premier League teams were present to watch him play in the North-East this week. Alongside Liverpool, clubs having representatives at Sunderland’s home ground or tracking Smit’s progress during the first half of the campaign include Chelsea, Tottenham Hotspur, Aston Villa, Nottingham Forest, Brighton & Hove Albion, and Crystal Palace.
AZ Alkmaar has placed a valuation in the region of £51.5m on the midfielder, a steep figure that would place Smit among the more expensive youth-profile signings in Europe. However, that asking price may lower should he not leave AZ in January. At this point in time, the assumption is that Smit will not sign a new contract when a range of Premier League clubs are interested in his services, as he has less than two years remaining on his current contract.
Midfield Profile and Tactical Fit at Anfield
Smit has built a strong reputation after progressing through the AZ academy setup, contributing seven goals and 14 assists from 83 appearances. During his appearance in the North-East, he featured for 59 minutes as AZ succumbed to a 1-0 defeat against Sunderland on Wednesday night.
The Netherlands international is viewed as a technical midfielder with composure, intelligence, and a level of maturity that has drawn attention beyond the Netherlands. Those traits fit the type of player Liverpool have targeted in recent years, footballers with development upside but also the capacity to contribute sooner than later. Squad priorities and how Liverpool assess their midfield needs during the first half of the season will ultimately dictate whether the club moves forward in January, balancing immediate engine-room needs with long-term squad planning.
Among the competing suitors, different tactical needs shape each club’s pursuit. Although Chelsea will be in the market for a new central midfielder in January, they are likely to move for a player more experienced than Smit when it comes to replacing Enzo Fernandez. While Spurs and Villa have enough options for their engine room and will likely prioritise other areas, the other four teams have more reason to try to secure a deal for Smit. Liverpool require a midfielder who is capable of playing in a defensive-minded role. For now, the player’s rising stock and mounting competition mean any formal approach will require full conviction from the recruitment team, and the January transfer window may yet provide the next chapter.
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