Brighton & Hove Albion have reportedly made an enquiry for AZ Alkmaar midfielder Kees Smit, with the Dutch club expected to demand around EUR60million, about £52million, for the 20-year-old.
The new link adds another name to Albion’s summer midfield watchlist at a point when Fabian Hurzeler’s squad planning is already being shaped by European football, World Cup disruption and a busy centre-back market.
TEAMtalk reports that Brighton are among several Premier League clubs to have made enquiries, alongside Brentford, Nottingham Forest, Crystal Palace and Fulham. Newcastle United are described as frontrunners, while Liverpool, Chelsea and Tottenham have also been approached over the Netherlands international’s availability.
Smit Profile Fits Brighton Recruitment Pattern
Smit is not a cheap speculative punt. AZ are said to value him at around EUR60million and he is under contract until 2028, meaning Brighton would need either a serious financial push or a very clear pathway argument to make progress.
The attraction is obvious. A 20-year-old technical midfielder from a strong development club fits the kind of market Albion like to attack before a player’s ceiling is fully priced by Europe’s biggest sides.
For now, this is an enquiry rather than an advanced negotiation, so it should be treated as live interest rather than an imminent deal. But after Brighton moved early for defensive targets, Smit’s name is one to keep on the summer board.
