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Newcastle Enter Race for AZ Star Kees Smit as Reports Signal Club-Record Fee

Reports indicate AZ will seek over £22m, potentially allowing a January move.

Overview

  • Sky Sports reporter Keith Downie reports AZ would not block a January exit for the 19-year-old and want a fee exceeding the club’s £21.8m record.
  • Newcastle’s interest is described as genuine, with new sporting director Ross Wilson reportedly eyeing Smit as a potential first signing.
  • Real Madrid, Barcelona, Bayern Munich and Borussia Dortmund are also linked, with further interest reported from unnamed Bundesliga sides and Crystal Palace.
  • Smit is under contract with AZ until 2028, and earlier reports cited a benchmark valuation around €23m (£20–22m).
  • The midfielder earned his first Netherlands call-up this month, has about 50 AZ senior appearances with four goals and six assists, and Ronald Koeman has compared him to Pedri.