Romano convinced €60m won’t be enough for Kees Smit: “The Dutch expect a record fee for the 19-year-old”

Kees Smit has become the hottest name in Dutch football this season. At just 19, the AZ Alkmaar midfielder is already being tracked by virtually every major club in Europe, widely regarded as one of the most exciting midfield talents born in 2006.

Speculation has intensified since the start of January, but despite the growing noise, there is still no concrete offer on the table. According to Fabrizio Romano, that comes as no surprise—because AZ Alkmaar know exactly what they have.

Romano is convinced that even €60 million would not be enough to prise Smit away in the short term. That does not rule out a transfer—only that it is likely to be even more expensive than initially expected. Given the calibre of clubs involved, that scenario would not shock anyone inside the market.

Elite interest, perfect timing for AZ

Interest is widespread and elite. Real Madrid head coach Xabi Alonso is understood to be a long-time admirer, while several Premier League clubs are also closely monitoring the situation.

For AZ, the timing could not be better. Smit signed a new contract in 2024, keeping him tied to the club until summer 2028, meaning there is no pressure to sell. With no urgent need for funds and interest coming exclusively from wealthy clubs, Alkmaar are in a commanding negotiating position.

Mendes factor raises the stakes

Any eventual deal will be further complicated—and potentially inflated—by the involvement of Jorge Mendes. The Portuguese super-agent, known for orchestrating some of football’s biggest transfers, is expected to play a key role if and when talks become serious.

With elite demand, a long-term contract, and one of the game’s most powerful agents in the background, all signs point toward a record-breaking transfer when Kees Smit finally leaves the Netherlands.