Real Madrid midfield target set to cost more than €50 million – report | OneFootball

Real Madrid plan on signing a new midfielder in the summer of 2026, after having not strengthened the position in the last two summers, despite bidding goodbye to Toni Kroos and Luka Modric.

Despite some feeling the need for the club to sign a proven, established star, Los Blancos will not move away from their strategy of investing in younger talents who can grow at the club.

In that regard, Kees Smit of AZ Alkmaar has been identified as a key target to strengthen the midfield department before next season.

Indeed, Real Madrid plan to extensively scout the 19-year-old Dutchman over the coming six months with the idea of moving for him come summer.

Kees Smit will not come cheap

Building on that, Matteo Moretto on MARCA reports that Smit is indeed very high on the list of players Real Madrid are looking at for next season.

Kees Smit is a key target for Real Madrid. (Photo by Richard Pelham/Getty Images)

However, any move for the Dutch midfield ace will not come cheap as he is expected to command a transfer fee of more than €50 million.

Moreover, there is set to be intense competition for the teenage star’s services as several teams from the Premier League as well as Barcelona and Atletico Madrid are also interested in the player.

So, there could be a major transfer war for Smit’s services in the summer, which could further drive up his transfer fee, as AZ will be keen on getting the most value for their prized asset, whose contract runs until 2028.

Despite his young age, the midfielder has become a first-team regular at AZ and was a key part of the Netherlands team that won the U19 European Championship last year.

So far this season, Smit has featured in 27 matches across all competitions for the Dutch outfit, scoring two and assisting five goals.