Real Madrid set to face competition from Barcelona, Newcastle for 19-year-old starlet | OneFootball

Kees Smit of AZ Alkmaar is a player that Real Madrid have had their eyes on for a while now, as a potential midfield reinforcement for the future.

However, the 19-year-old prodigy will not be easy to sign as several other top clubs are also in the race to secure his services.

Stiff competition for Real Madrid

Indeed, according to the Daily Mail, apart from Real Madrid there are a number of other teams keeping an eye on Smit.

The Merengues’ arch-rivals, Barcelona, are understood to be monitoring his development after their ex-manager and current Netherlands coach, Ronald Koeman, compared the youngster to Pedri.

Meanwhile, there is also interest from German heavyweights Bayern Munich and Borussia Dortmund in the starlet.

Kees Smit is a man in demand. (Photo by Richard Pelham/Getty Images)

Moreover, Premier League club Newcastle United have also thrown their hat in the ring to sign Smit and are eager to push for a deal.

The Magpies’ sporting director, Ross Wilson, is an admirer of the teenager and sees his signing as a strategic move, especially with some of the current midfielders in the team not performing at the required level this term.

A move as early as January cannot be ruled out, with Newcastle hoping that the lure of Premier League and a promise of regular minutes could help them beat the other suitors.

Newcastle’s Premier League rivals, Crystal Palace, too are understood to be in the race.

So, Real Madrid will have their task cut out in their bid to sign Smit, whom they have been following for quite some time, and who could cost £20 million, as per the report.