£52m Liverpool target confirms interest

Liverpool are likely to spend a tonne of money again this summer.

They already coughed up over £450 million at the start of the 2025-26 season but hardly any of those signings have worked out.

Alexander Isak and Florian Wirtz were expected to turn things around for Liverpool and plug the gaps left behind by the exits of Trent Alexander-Arnold and Luis Diaz.

And, while the two of them did have the odd decent performance here and there, they were never consistent enough to make much of a difference.

To be fair, the fact that the Anfield outfit finished in fifth place says all you need to know.

This poor form is one of the main reasons why so many players are being linked with a Liverpool move and now, one of the Reds' reported targets has shared an update on his own future.

Kees Smit admits no concrete moves have been made for him yet

Liverpool's midfield needs a bit of a revamp.

Alexis Mac Allister, Dominik Szoboszlai and Ryan Gravenberch were one of the best trios in the Premier League during the 2024-25 season but, this term, they've been nowhere near their usual selves.

Szoboszlai has arguably been one of Liverpool's best players but, the other two have played horribly.

Their lack of form has dragged the Reds' entire team down and has forced them to explore the market for new midfielders.

This is where Kees Smit comes in. The 20-year-old Dutchman has been on Liverpool's shortlist for some time now and, even though other clubs have registered their interest, Liverpool's name keeps coming up as a potential destination.

And, while speaking to Voetbal International via Voetbal Primeur the Dutch wonderkid gave an insight into what his future may hold.

"I wouldn't mind staying at AZ and playing every game at number 10 for an entire season, but I also wouldn't mind taking on a new challenge somewhere else," he said.

"Training at a higher level, playing at a higher level: that naturally makes you a better footballer too. So as far as I'm concerned, anything is possible.

"It is still quite quiet at the moment. There are many clubs interested, but it is not at the point where clubs have fully come through yet.

"I’m not getting carried away, no. When the time comes, it comes: either I stay here, or I leave. There is not much to say about that right now."

Kees Smit would be an interesting signing for Liverpool

Smit might not be a player that most Liverpool fans will have heard of.

However, the main things to know are that he's a 20-year-old central midfielder who currently plays for AZ Alkmaar.

The 2025-26 season is the third campaign that he's featured in for the Eredivisie outlet and, luckily for the youngster, the 2025-26 campaign has been his best in terms of goal returns.

He contributed to 15 goals across all competitions and played 3646 minutes for his team.

He'd be a perfect player to interchange with Ryan Gravenberch as he'd be able to learn from his fellow countryman while also experiencing the toughest league in the world.

Alkmaar reportedly want around £52 million for the midfielder and, while this may seem like a lot of money for a 20-year-old with no experience outside of the Netherlands, with the midfield market the way it is at the moment, this is a steal.

Iraola obviously has plenty of time to decide what he wants to do with his squad but at the moment, it feels like Smit would be an exceptional addition to his youthful Liverpool ranks.

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