Real Madrid continue to monitor AZ Alkmaar midfielder Kees Smit as they look to add more technically gifted and “cerebral” options in the middle of the park. The 19-year-old Dutch midfielder has become one of Europe’s most talked-about young prospects, with his blend of passing, positional awareness and ball progression drawing comparisons to elite playmakers. Ronald Koeman made the comparison to Pedri earlier this season.
This season in the 2025/26 campaign, Smit has featured regularly for AZ in the Eredivisie,
starting 15 league matches and recording 2 goals and 2 assists from midfield, while playing just over 1,300 minutes in all competitions. His game is not about goals and assists, instead he’s involved in build-up phases and retains possession under pressure, a profile Real Madrid value given their need for off-ball intelligence.
On the international stage, Smit has begun to feature for the Netherlands U21s and has had senior call-ups.
Real Madrid are not alone in their interest. Clubs in the Premier League and across Europe are also tracking him, but the Spanish giants remain among the frontrunners if they decide to make a concrete move.
