Fabrizio Romano CONFIRMS Liverpool interest in Pedri 2.0

Liverpool are looking to future-proof their side and they might be getting closer to signing a midfielder who could become one of the best in the world.

The Reds need reinforcements, that is no secret, but they will not be getting any done in January, meaning their attention is already firmly on the summer transfer window.

As well as bolstering their defence with Jeremey Jacquet, they are looking to do the same to their midfield ahead of the 2026/27 season, with their squad set to change a fair bit.

The middle of the park could see a bit of turnover too, and despite potentially losing a few key stars, they are linked with some who might go on to be even better.

In fact, one target has even been compared with Barcelona's Pedri before, showing just how talented he is, and Fabrizio Romano has just confirmed Liverpool are one of the teams ready to compete for his signature.

Fabrizio Romano confirms Liverpool's interest in Kees Smit

Kees Smit might not be a name that rings too many bells for Liverpool fans, but he is a player who Arne Slot knows very well during his time at AZ Alkmaar.

Although he never actually managed him, Smit was a promising talent in their academy and Slot was said to be very aware of just how good he was, with the 20-year-old now a key player in the first-team set-up.

Smit had been loosely linked to Liverpool in the past, but now, fans have had the confirmation from Fabrizio Romano himself, with the Reds ready for battle in the summer.

"Then many questions, Kees Smit and Liverpool. Guys, there are all the big clubs in England on Kees Smit and also Spain, including Real Madrid and not only them," he said on his YouTube channel.

"So it’s going to be a big battle for Kees Smit, but not for this window. The deal is expected to happen in the summer.

"If something changes guys, I will be here to tell you. But my expectation is not for any changes in this window for Kees Smit, he is a story for the summer, and it’s going to be huge with Jorge Mendes as the agent controlling that."

Kees Smit is the new Pedri

At just 20, Smit has a bright future ahead, and the fact he has already been compared to Pedri by Netherlands manager Ronald Koeman, suggests he is held in very high regard.

Koeman managed Pedri at Barcelona and was key in helping him breakthrough, suggesting that his comments will be more accurate than most.

"The way he turns away from his opponent, the way he scans the area, his two-footedness... I saw that in Pedri too," he said to beINSports back in November.

“If he gets half his career, we’ll be very happy in the Netherlands."

Smit still has a fair chunk of the season left at AZ Alkmaar, so his stock could only increase further, but if he does get a move in the summer, Liverpool will be one of the clubs in the queue.

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