Fabrizio Romano confirms staggering fee Liverpool have to pay to sign key target | OneFootball

Even clubs outside of Europe's top five leagues are going to demand higher fees. Anfield Watch understands that the club's midfield shortlist includes, Caleb Yirenkyi, Ayyoub Bouaddi, Eduardo Camavinga, Adam Wharton, Elliot Anderson, Warren Zaire-Emery and Kees Smit.

It's the latter, who plays for AZ Alkmaar that could end-up being a more affordable option. Smit is still an elite talent but he doesn't play for one of the big clubs who would demand a hefty fee, even in the Netherlands, Alkmaar aren't the biggest of clubs.

Feyenoord, PSV Eindhoven and Ajax are ahead of them.

But it looks like Alkmaar are going to be demanding a huge transfer fee as revealed by Fabrizio Romano.

“The name I keep bringing to the table: Kees Smit, the AZ Alkmaar midfielder,” the transfer insider reported on his YouTube channel.

“[His agent] Jorge Mendes is in control of the situation. There is Real Madrid interest, there are Premier League top clubs interested, several top clubs. So, it’s going to be a big battle between Spanish and Premier League clubs.

“For Kees Smit and AZ Alkmaar, it’s going to be a huge summer. It’s not going to be easy to sign him. Something like €40m-45m is not enough, it’s not enough money.

“Get ready for Kees Smit, because he’s going to be a big part of conversations.”

Smit is a fantastic player, but the fact that Liverpool are going to essentially have to pay over £40m for a player with little experience in European football is a staggering amount.

That's the nature of the market right now.

And to be fair, for a player of Smit's talent, it might be worth it. He really is one of the best young midfielders in European football right now.

He's been a stand-out in the Eredivisie. His vision and his pressing ability combined with his technical qualities make him an ideal profile.

However, there are so many risks with buying a young player from the Netherlands. Liverpool don't want to be spending in excess of £40m on a gamble.

So, it will be interesting to see how this saga plays out.