The summer transfer window is barely open, and Manchester United’s midfield shopping list is already getting picked apart by rivals. Manchester City swooped for Elliot Anderson. Arsenal is deep in talks for Bruno Guimaraes. Tottenham is closing in on Sandro Tonali. And now Spurs are trying to hijack United’s move for West Ham’s Mateus Fernandes too.
United’s fallback options are all Premier League proven, but they’re also all expensive. Alex Scott, Carlos Baleba and Adam Wharton each come with price tags around $130 million. That’s a lot of money for a club that still has holes at striker, center back and maybe goalkeeper too.
Which is why INEOS might need to swallow their pride about shopping in the Eredivisie again. Because there’s a kid at AZ Alkmaar who looks like the real deal, and Newcastle is already circling him as Tonali’s replacement.
Kees Smit is 20 years old, stands 6’1” and played last season like he was the Dutch league’s best kept secret. Five goals and 10 assists in all competitions. Won the KNVB Cup with Alkmaar. Led the Netherlands to an Under-19 European Championship title last summer, walking away with both the Golden Boot and Best Player trophies. The kid has range.
Technically, he’s drawn comparisons to Pedri. That’s high praise, but it’s not crazy. Smit operates mostly as a deep-lying playmaker but he carries the ball with real power. He can dictate tempo, pick a pass and also get forward to finish. He’s not just a pretty passer. He’s got the frame to grow into something more physical too.
Rio Ferdinand has been pushing United to go after him. He said on his podcast: ‘He’s the truth man, I’m telling you. He’s the one you go, I’m buying him. It doesn’t have to be for now. I’ve seen him play a couple times and that’s all I need to see.’
Newcastle is trying to get ahead of the pack. According to TEAMtalk, the Magpies are leading the chase and have stepped up their pursuit this month. They see Smit as a direct replacement if Tonali goes to Tottenham. Alkmaar is asking for about $65 million. That’s roughly what Spurs offered for Tonali and had rejected. So Newcastle could potentially flip the Italian and land Smit for half the cost with change left over.
United has the stronger sales pitch here. Champions League football. A bigger platform. More minutes to offer if they clear out some of the deadwood in midfield. Smit wants to test himself at the highest level, but he also wants to play. Old Trafford can give him both if the club moves fast.
INEOS has shown it will break its own rules for the right talent. Leny Yoro and Benjamin Sesko were exceptions to the Premier League experience rule. Smit should be the next one. He’s worth going Dutch for, even if it makes Sir Jim Ratcliffe wince.
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