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Real Madrid are tracking AZ Alkmaar midfielder Kees Smit ahead of a summer transfer move, according to Fabrizio Romano.
Premier League giants are also in the race for his signature after Newcastle United failed with a swoop in the winter transfer window.
Smit caught the eye at the Under-19 European Championship, where he was arguably the best player.
He returned to AZ, where he has continued to turn heads in the Eredivisie, scoring three goals and assisting another two in 19 appearances.
Smit’s combination of physique, technique, and in-game intelligence has impressed scouts and several suitors. They are queuing up for his services.
Los Blancos’ engine room is crying out for a creative player that can unlock defences, and Smit fits the bill.
The 20-year-old central midfielder connects midfield to attack intelligently with his silky playing style.
Also, Real Madrid are preparing to lose Dani Ceballos this summer. They could use another body in central midfield.
Despite the growing noise around his future, Smit must stay grounded.
Interest from Real Madrid and Premier League heavyweights is flattering, but at 20, nothing matters more than consistent minutes on the pitch.
Development is rarely linear, and too many young talents have seen their progress stall after chasing the badge instead of the right environment.
At AZ, Smit is trusted. He is playing regularly, learning the rhythms of senior football and refining the details that will define his ceiling.
A move to a global giant may bring prestige, but it could also mean sporadic appearances, loan spells, or long stretches on the bench.
For a player still shaping his game, continuity is gold. The smart choice may not be the glamorous one.
If Smit continues on his current trajectory, the big move will still be there in a few years, and he will arrive ready, not rushed.