Chelsea Lead Race For ‘Dutch Pedri’ Kees Smit Amid Newcastle and Liverpool Interest
Ben McAleer
Chelsea have moved to the front of the queue in the race to sign Kees Smit, dubbed the Dutch Pedri, from AZ Alkmaar, reports The I.
Newcastle and Liverpool have both been credited with an interest in the young midfielder, who has been shining for AZ in the Eredivisie and the UEFA Conference League this season.
And his performances in the Netherlands and on the continent have now caught the eye of the Blues, who have also been linked with a move for Sunderland star Noah Sadiki.
Smit catching the eye of European heavyweights
Smit will reportedly cost around £25m to sign from AZ next month, though the Dutch side are hoping to retain his services until the summer, where they’ll be able to command a higher fee.
The Magpies had hoped to steal a march on their rivals for Smit and lure him to St. James’ Park in the New Year as Eddie Howe looks to bolster in the middle of the park.
However, Chelsea are now reportedly set to muscle in on the 19-year-old, who has been likened to Barcelona star Pedri.
Koeman once likened Smit to Pedri
“I once worked with Pedri as manager of Barcelona. And now I see things in Smit that I also saw in Pedri,” Netherlands head coach Ronald Koeman once said of the teenager.
“It’s about being two-footed and scanning. If Smit gets even half the amount Pedri played, we’ll be very happy in the Netherlands. I won’t say too much more, because then people might get confused.”
AZ are currently fifth in the Eredivisie, but have failed to win their last four league matches and are now a whopping 15 points behind league leaders PSV.
The Dutch giants are aiming to keep hold of Smit until the end of the season as they push to secure a European finish.
Additionally, the hope is that they’ll be able to command a higher fee for the young midfielder, with Tottenham, Manchester United are Real Madrid also credited with an interest in Smit.
