Recent reports suggest that a club is willing to let their star player move to Liverpool for just €30 million.
Since the impressive summer of 2023, when the Reds secured four new midfielders along with Trey Nyoni, the club has somewhat overlooked the midfield area.
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Arne Slot did attempt to strengthen the midfield in his first year, targeting Martin Zubimendi. However, Richard Hughes’ efforts to bring Zubimendi to Anfield fell short.
In the past two years, Liverpool hasn’t felt an urgent need for a midfield overhaul. Players like Ryan Gravenberch, Dominik Szoboszlai, and Alexis Mac Allister have all settled well into their roles, while Wataru Endo has proven to be a valuable backup.
Now, as we look towards 2026, it seems likely that new midfielders will be on the horizon. Endo is nearing the end of his career, and his increasing injuries this season raise concerns about relying on him as a backup.
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Gravenberch alone can’t shoulder the entire load in the holding midfield role, and Szoboszlai cannot be the only player bringing energy and intensity to the midfield.
This indicates that Liverpool needs to look for new options to refresh their squad, and Kees Smit seems to fit the bill.
The AZ Alkmaar midfielder is from a club that Slot is familiar with, having previously managed the Dutch team in the Eredivisie. Smit is a highly technical player.
He possesses exceptional ball-carrying skills and covers significant ground. His intensity and aggressiveness mirror that of Szoboszlai.
Moreover, he excels at making late runs into the box and has the technical prowess to contribute effectively to the build-up, making him an ideal all-around midfielder.
At only 19, Smit is viewed as a project signing, but given Liverpool’s recent success in the Eredivisie, this could be a smart move.
Cody Gakpo proved to be a success, and Luis Suarez was another notable success from the same league. Although Liverpool doesn’t frequently sign from the Eredivisie, those that they do tend to thrive.
Thus, it’s intriguing that Smit is on Liverpool’s radar. According to Ekrem Konur, Alkmaar is also open to accepting a €30 million bid for their star player, making Smit an incredible steal.
After all, he’s turned heads not just in the Eredivisie but also in European competitions and youth international tournaments. Smit has played a crucial role in helping Alkmaar win the UEFA Youth League and is regarded as one of the best young midfielders in European football.
Securing him for just €30 million would be a savvy acquisition for Liverpool, reminiscent of the deals that Edwards and Hughes would receive acclaim for time and again.