Liverpool enter race to sign 19-year-old Real Madrid midfield target – report | OneFootball

In recent months, Real Madrid chief scout Juni Calafat has been following Kees Smit with great interest.

The young midfielder has been delivering very positive performances for AZ Alkmaar and the Netherlands youth national team, attracting interest from the Merengues.

However, competition for his services seems to be heating up, with reports earlier this month suggesting that Barcelona and Newcastle United also want the teenager.

Liverpool also pursuing Kees Smit

Now, according to Defensa Central, Premier League champions Liverpool are also now making a serious effort to sign Kees Smit.

The presence of his compatriot Arne Slot, who also has ties with AZ Alkmaar, at Anfield could prove to be a factor in favour of the Reds.

Liverpool join Real Madrid in Smit hunt. (Photo by Richard Pelham/Getty Images)

Real Madrid, for their part, did not expect the surge of interest in the Dutch talent, with the situation now forcing the Spanish club to act and decide whether they want the player or not.

For now, Real Madrid president Florentino Perez and CEO Jose Angel Sanchez have requested further reports on the talented midfielder, but they understand that they will soon need to make a decision.

Smit, 19, burst onto the radar at Real Madrid after helping Netherlands win the UEFA U-19 European Championships earlier this year.

The youngster has continued to build on that breakthrough with impressive performances at AZ Alkmaar, with a big move away from the Eredivisie outfit on the horizon for him.

Reports recently suggested that a move for Smit could cost a little over €25 million – a figure that should not be a problem for Real Madrid. But with competition growing, they will need to act soon.