Overview
- As of Wednesday, June 24, multiple outlets report Liverpool, Chelsea and Tottenham have held talks over the 20-year-old AZ midfielder while a wide group of Premier League and European clubs continue to monitor him.
- Newcastle have been linked as a potential long-term replacement for Sandro Tonali but reputable reporting says the club are not currently active in the pursuit and that Liverpool are a team to watch.
- AZ have placed a clear valuation on Smit commonly reported at around £52 million while some outlets suggest higher figures, and his contract to 2028 strengthens AZ’s negotiating position.
- Smit broke through in 2025/26 with roughly five goals and eight to nine assists across competitions and his omission from the Netherlands World Cup squad has been reported to increase his appetite for a move that guarantees regular first-team football.
- The wide interest in Smit reflects a wider market trend of clubs buying younger midfield prospects, which could push fees higher this summer and force bidders to weigh price against the player’s desire for immediate minutes ahead of the September transfer deadline.