Barcelona, Real Madrid among elite clubs scouting 19-year-old Dutch jewel | OneFootball

Kees Smit is widely regarded as one of the most talented young midfielders coming through in Europe.

Just 19 years old, the midfielder has become a permanent fixture in the AZ Alkmaar first-team setup, while he was also key to the Netherlands national team winning the U19 European Championship earlier this year.

The youngster’s continued positive development has seemingly put him on the radars of several top clubs, including FC Barcelona.

Barcelona send scouts to monitor Kees Smit

Indeed, according to Matteo Moretto on Radio MARCA, Barcelona are among a host of elite teams to have sent scouts to watch Kees Smit in action for AZ.

Apart from the Blaugrana, their arch-rivals, Real Madrid, are also monitoring the Dutch midfield talent, who could be poised for a big move in the summer of 2026.

Moreover, Atletico Madrid, Chelsea, and Manchester City have also had scouts present at AZ’s recent games to watch the 19-year-old Dutch jewel in action.

Barcelona may have an advantage

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

Despite the widespread interest in Smit, Barcelona might have an edge in the transfer race, considering that the youngster has gone on record about how the Catalans are his favourite team.

“I watch almost every Barcelona match. It’s simply my favourite club,” Smit said in an interview in November.

Regarding him being compared to Barcelona superstar Pedri by Netherlands manager Ronald Koeman, the youngster said:

“If he thinks so, maybe I am. I wasn’t expecting it, but I think it’s a good comparison. I understand that people found it a rather strange comparison. 

“Before I was De Bruyne and now I’m Pedri (laughs). Or Frenkie de Jong.”

Smit’s contract with AZ runs until the summer of 2028, and in case of a transfer next summer, he is likely to cost around €25 million.