Newcastle United linked to another wonderkid transfer that both Real Madrid & Barcelona want to sign

Newcastle United have been linked with signing Dutch youngster Kees Smit in January - but will face intense competition for his signature.

According to the Mail Online, the Magpies are among a host of top European clubs to have shown interest in the AZ Alkmaar man who has been valued at £20m by his club. Smit has already made 19 appearances for his club this season, including one against Crystal Palace in the Conference League, with his form reportedly putting him on the radar of the senior Dutch national team.

It isn’t only at international level that Smit is attracting attention, however, with Spanish giants Real Madrid and Barcelona also reportedly interested in his signature. The Magpies recently beat off interest from Madrid and Barcelona to sign Antonio Cordero from Malaga and could look to compete with them again for Smit.

However, it isn’t just interest from Spain that the Magpies will have to contend with amid reports that Borussia Dortmund, famed for signing and developing young players from around Europe, and Bayern Munich are also interested in signing the 19-year-old.

Smit, who doesn’t turn 20 until January, predominantly plays as a central midfielder and, despite not being able to force himself into the senior Dutch set-up, has impressed manager Ronald Koeman, who recently discussed comparisons between the teenager and young Spanish superstar Pedri.

“He has the awareness to receive in tight spaces and move the ball forward. That is something we value,” Koeman said about Smit.

“The resemblance people see [to Pedri] is in how he positions himself and his decision-making under pressure. But every player must form his own identity.

“Big clubs follow players with these characteristics. That is normal. What is important is that he continues developing where he is, playing regularly.”

Ross Wilson’s Newcastle United transfer priorities

Newcastle United, meanwhile, are preparing to enter their first transfer window with new sporting director Ross Wilson in situ for the first time. Wilson joined the Magpies from Nottingham Forest last month, replacing Paul Mitchell in the role who departed the club in May.

Wilson’s first and main priorities in the winter window will be to give Eddie Howe the players he requires, if any, to improve Newcastle United’s standing in the Premier League and help them push on to success in the second half of the season. Their financial position should allow them to do that after two very lean winter windows.

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However, they cannot afford to neglect looking to the future and the signing of someone like Smit may not benefit them immediately, but it would have major benefits for them down the line. The club implemented a focus on signing younger players to bolster their ranks during Mitchell’s time at the club with Vakhtang Salia and Cordero moving to Tyneside from Georgia and Spain respectively.

Whilst the pair are yet to contribute for the Magpies, their arrivals were big statements of intent and the beginnings of a transfer policy that, although started by his predecessor, must be continued under Wilson.

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