Real Madrid got controversial €60m transfer decision spot on
Despite extensively scouting AZ midfielder Kees Smit, Real Madrid decided against splashing the cash on the youngster this summer.
The 20-year-old has emerged as one of Europe's most exciting young midfielders over the past two years. Smit made his first-team debut for AZ in early 2024 and has been a mainstay in the team since 2025.
Last season was Smit's first as a guaranteed starter, and he immediately produced five goals and 10 assists. This earned him his senior Netherlands debut in March and almost non-stop transfer speculation.
Real Madrid were believed to be keenly watching his development in Alkmaar, frequently dispatching scouts to the Netherlands and monitoring his every move. Los Blancos, it seemed, had become infatuated with the youngster.
However, the summer transfer window came and went, and no move materialised. Real Madrid did not come forward with a formal offer, nor did anyone else. Newcastle expressed an interest in Smit but ultimately opted to sign compatriot Sean Steur from Ajax instead.
Smit not ready for Real Madrid
In hindsight, it is easy to see why there was such a dearth of offers for Smit. AZ slapped a €60 million asking price on the 20-year-old, which proved prohibitive to even the most affluent clubs.
Smit's Estimated Transfer Value (ETV) is currently peaking at €20.3m, illustrating that €60m would have been a significant overpay. Steur, by comparison, cost Newcastle just €23.5m.
🙌 Kees Smit, speler uit eigen jeugdopleiding, heeft zijn handtekening gezet onder een verlengd contract tot medio 2030! Lees hier meer: https://t.co/FabPJsGsG7
#AZAlkmaar #TheFutureIsOurs https://t.co/sWF5B3H7Hq
— AZ (@AZAlkmaar) October 19, 2026
But there is also another reason why Real Madrid refrained from signing Smit, despite their desperate need for a midfield conductor: he's simply not yet at the level to play for one of the biggest clubs in the world.
Despite his immense talent and rapid development, the Dutchman remains some way short of the required standard. According to analytics firm SciSports, Smit is currently nowhere near the level of Real Madrid's established midfielders, and even his high potential falls short of the present ability benchmarks of the team's senior stars.
What's more, Real Madrid are currently also not deemed a good stylistic fit, as per SciSports' Career Advice tool. They receive a middling Club Fit rating of 62 and the worst possible grades in the playing time and playstyle categories.
It is clear that Real Madrid not signing Smit was the right decision for everyone involved, as was staying at AZ rather than forcing the issue - despite his club's best efforts.
The Alkmaar outfit reportedly recruited Jorge Mendes in order to get a transfer over the line, as €60m would have been transformative money for the club. But that's water under the bridge now.
The 20-year-old has just been handed a two-year contract extension, tying him to the Eredivisie side until 2030. This means that Smit can fully focus on his continued development.
If he keeps playing at a high level, his ability and potential will increase and may eventually reach the standard required to play for a club of Real Madrid's stature. But even if it doesn't, Smit's ceiling is already at a very high European level.
Writing for FootballTransfers' Dutch edition, Eredivisie expert Dylan ter Laak pointed out: "Smit seems - provided he is fit - assured of a starting place at AZ.
"The talented midfielder can thus continue to develop in peace in Alkmaar. This season he can take further steps and possibly reach the level required to succeed at the top of European football as well."
Ter Laak added: "Because Smit possesses a lot of potential, there is also the possibility that he will become even more decisive and important for AZ during the season. From a sporting perspective, AZ have therefore struck gold by extending Smit's contract.
"Last season, according to SciSports data, he was among the best-performing midfielders in the Eredivisie. This shows, at the very least, that Smit possesses the required level to be a decisive player in the Eredivisie."
Real Madrid took a major gamble by not signing midfield reinforcements beyond Bernardo Silva, but the club's decision not to panic and pay over the odds for Smit was a shrewd one.
