Starting pistol FIRED for £25m Liverpool transfer race | OneFootball

Liverpool are now in a race to sign one of Europe's most in-demand youngsters. The starting pistol has been fired.

Liverpool are always in the mix when one of the most talented young players might be available. Though, it’s never easy to sign them.

For one, you’ve got to see off virtually every other elite club. The money involved can spiral out of control and whoever is willing to take the bigger risk usually wins.

But you’ve also got to be able to play the player. If you lack room in your squad to give them minutes, what’s the point in signing them? Though, Chelsea would disagree quite strongly with that line of thinking.

One of the latest players to catch the eye across Europe is Kees Smit, currently with AZ Alkmaar. The teenager has had a breakthrough year, including a sensational run at the Under 19 Euros where he was named the best player and top scorer as the Netherlands won the competition.

It’s thought he’ll move on to a ‘bigger’ club before long, possibly in the new year. That has Liverpool looking at the situation and their hand may have been forced into a move.

Kees Smit race starts

Caughtoffside report that Manchester United have made contact over a move for Smit. They’ve been in contact with the player’s entourage to sound out a transfer and are apparently the only club to have taken this step as of right now.

But others will follow. The report also mentions Liverpool as a strongly-interested team, while the rest of Europe’s elite are at least monitoring the situation.

It sounds, however, that any team wanting to sign Smit will need to get talking. United have stolen a march of the rest and that will force everyone else to make a decision here.