United table £25m bid for 19-yo midfield magician compared to Pedri – report

Manchester United have kept an eye on the future in recent transfer windows. Alongside targeting established stars such as Bryan Mbeumo and Matheus Cunha, the Red Devils have also signed emerging talents including Leny Yoro, Sekou Kone and Diego Leon. It is clear that the Premier League giants have revamped their transfer strategy to accommodate both short-term goals and long-term targets. United do not merely want to reclaim their glory days, they aim to sustain their rise with a calculated approach in the transfer market. After investing in the attack this summer, the Red Devils have turned their attention to the middle of the park. Several candidates have already been shortlisted for the job, including Carlos Baleba, Adam Wharton and Elliot Anderson. Midfield the priority for 2026 While Baleba, Wharton and Anderson all have the ability to transform Ruben Amorim’s team, securing their services will not be a walk in the park. There is already a melee for their signature, with several big names of European football hot on their heels. Meanwhile, any move would also represent a significant investment, as each of them carries a price tag of around £100 million. While United are expected to pursue the trio for now, they are also keeping their options open. A recent report relayed by The Peoples Person states that AZ Alkmaar midfielder Kees Smit has appeared on the Red Devils’ radar. A fresh update has now emerged on the situation. United want the new ‘Pedri’ According to Fichajes, United have offered €25 million for Smit. The Dutchman has been a first-team regular for Alkmaar this season, registering 19 appearances across competitions, all but one of which have been starts. Kees Smit Stats: 2025/26 Season CompetitionAppearancesGoalsAssistsYellow CardsRed CardsMinutes Played Eredivisie11223-949′ UEFA Conference League Qualifiers6-1–399′ UEFA Conference League2-11-170′ Total19244-1,518′ Source: Transfermarkt The 19 year old has already displayed maturity beyond his years and has been compared to Barcelona superstar Pedri by Dutch national team manager Ronald Koeman. The player’s contract expires in 2028, and he also fits the Red Devils’ recent youth-centric transfer strategy. The report adds that the English giants’ offer exceeds the Dutch club’s expectations, and it could prompt them to accelerate negotiations for a transfer in January. However, Alkmaar want to include sporting bonuses in the deal, as this could pay dividends if the player explodes in the Premier League. Final Thoughts While there’s no doubt that Smit could be a shrewd signing for Ruben Amorim, it is also one that carries a degree of risk. Despite the Dutchman’s stellar rise, there is no guarantee that he would hit the ground running with a move to the Premier League. The teenager could struggle to cope with the intensity and the physical demands of the English league. United’s situation is far more urgent, and they need someone who can make an instant impact in the team. A move for Smit is not impossible, but it is highly unlikely that the Red Devils would submit an offer for the young Dutchman when they are looking for a more established name next year. Instead, the Premier League giants could consider a move for the teenager once they secure their preferred midfield targets for 2026. That would protect Smit from undue pressure and help him realise his talent at the Theatre of Dreams. 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 Deepungsu Pandit Deepungsu has been a Manchester United fan since 2000. In his playing days, he was an attacking midfielder with a proclivity for the back heel. Right now, however, he prefers to operate as a regista. Deepungsu has been writing about the Red Devils, Football, and other things since 2009. He has worked for over seven years with Sportskeeda, writing football reviews, opinions and news articles. Deepungsu also maintains a blog, The Thinking Me, where he writes about life and things that interest him. His favourite Manchester United player is Paul Scholes.