United ready to beat Liverpool to £44m magician who has blown scouts away, he is the next De Bruyne – report

Manchester United are preparing to battle their bitter rivals to sign AZ Alkmaar starlet Kees Smit as part of a major midfield overhaul, according to a new report. Fixing the Engine Room The Red Devils are prioritising at least two big-money signings in the middle of the pitch this summer as Casemiro is set to depart once his contract expires and Manuel Ugarte‘s future hangs in the balance. The club’s focus is on securing at least one player from the cohort of the Premier League’s finest options not already playing for a top six club. This list is headed by Elliot Anderson (Nottingham Forest), with Carlos Baleba (Brighton & Hove Albion), Adam Wharton (Crystal Palace), and Sandro Tonali (Newcastle United) also on the wish list. However, there are growing indications that a third midfielder may arrive at Old Trafford, particularly if the 24-year-old Uruguay international follows his Brazilian teammate through the exit door. From this perspective, a prodigiously talented young player like Smit, the 20-year-old Netherlands international currently making waves in the Eredivisie, could be targeted. But competition will prove fierce from United’s rivals for his signature, both domestically and on the continent. Caught Offside reports Arsenal, Chelsea, Liverpool, and Newcastle United are all in the hunt for the Heiloo native, who has drawn comparisons to Spanish maestro Pedri from his national manager, Ronald Koeman. LaLiga heavyweights FC Barcelona and Real Madrid are also plotting a summer raid, with Alkmaar understood to be asking for a fee in the region of €45-50 million (£39-44m). United send scouts to Holland The report states United are “assessing Smit as part of their midfield restructuring plans,” with the Dutch playmaker said to have “impressed scouts with his vision, passing range, and awareness of space.” Direct comparisons have even been drawn with Manchester City magician Kevin De Bruyne, currently plying his trade in Manchester. The club’s recruitment department is “monitoring several emerging talents across Europe”, adding further fuel to the fire of a new starlet arriving in Ugarte’s place. LOSC Lille dynamo Ayyoub Bouaddi is another leading contender for the 20-time Premier League champions. United legend Rio Ferdinand is adamant his former club should zero in on Smit, however, revealing he has been blown away whenever he has watched the youngster in action. Speaking on his YouTube channel, the 47-year-old sang Smit’s praises: “[He] is the truth man, I’m telling you. He’s the one you go, ‘I’m buying him.’ It doesn’t have to be for now. I hope he does come in takes the world by storm, but if we’ve got to wait six months to a year, I don’t care. I’ve seen him play a couple of times now and that’s all I need to see…I’ve spoken to some guys in Holland [and] the kid has got it.” Final Thoughts Smit is undoubtedly a supremely talented 20-year-old starlet, with a skillset capable of developing into one of Europe’s finest ball-playing midfielders. But United already have their own version in the form of Kobbie Mainoo – and that must be factored into the decision-making process for INEOS this summer. The Carrington graduate should be the future of the Red Devils, and every effort must be made to sign partners in the engine room who complement, rather than overlap, with his own talents, especially as Bruno Fernandes will be playing as the No.10 ahead of them. From this perspective, a move for Smit may not be the best use of United’s funds this summer, no matter how much Ferdinand demands it. Featured image Daniel Jayo via Getty Images The Peoples Person has been one of the world’s leading Man United news sites for over a decade. Follow us on Bluesky: @peoplesperson.bsky.social Darragh Fox Darragh is an editor for The Peoples Person who spent three years learning about the Cold War at the University of Sheffield slowly realising football was by far the most interesting thing to write about. Amad’s first touch should be officially recognised as the eighth wonder of the world.