Real Madrid must snub Liverpool and Arsenal target and go for Bundesliga 'diamond' instead

Real Madrid are reportedly frontrunners to sign AZ Alkmaar midfielder Kees Smit but face competition from Liverpool and Arsenal for his signature. The Dutch youngster has caught the eye in the Eredivisie and is expected to be on the move this summer.

Arsenal are also pursuing the 20-year-old and are "mapping out" a possible move for this summer. It means Madrid have work to do if they are to sign the Dutch talent and when a transfer battle with English heavyweights unfolds it leads to an expensive operation.

Real Madrid are reportedly frontrunners to sign AZ Alkmaar midfielder Kees Smit but face competition from Liverpool and Arsenal for his signature. The Dutch youngster has caught the eye in the Eredivisie and is expected to be on the move this summer.

CaughtOffside reports that the two Premier League clubs 'lead' Madrid and Manchester United in the race for Smit. Its claimed that Liverpool have held preliminary discussions with his representatives over a possible move.

Arsenal are also pursuing the 20-year-old and are "mapping out" a possible move for this summer. It means Madrid have work to do if they are to sign the Dutch talent and when a transfer battle with English heavyweights unfolds it leads to an expensive operation.

Madrid should leave Smit race

AZ are believed to value Smit an initial €60 million but this is expected to rise with interest from the Premier League and Madrid. A potential deal could end up costing around €75 million which is a risk given his lack of proven experience in one of Europe's top five leagues.

There's no doubt Smit is one of Europe's most exciting midfield prospects and he has shown maturity beyond his years. He's made 31 appearances across competitions this season, posting three goals and five assists.

While Madrid's scouting team have raved about the Netherlands U21 international they are reportedly "cautious about committing to a fee they consider excessive at this stage."

That is the right stance to take, especially, and the La Liga giants shouldn't budge on their own valuation of the player. It's not worth overpaying for a youngster when there are many other alternatives available this summer.

Real Madrid should turn to Bundesliga star

In May 2025, Toni Kroos reportedly recommended that Madrid sign Stuttgart midfielder Angelo Stiller. A fee of €40 million was suggested to be the asking price at the time although there's no word on whether that remains the case.

Still has earned comparisons to Kroos during his time in the Bundesliga because the ball almost gets glued to his feet. The verdict from Breaking the Lines is that he is the "diamond" of German football and that he has similar playing characteristics as former Chelsea star N'Golo Kante and Bayern Munich's Joshua Kimmich.

The 24-year-old has been Stuttgart's standout performer this season, posting one goal and seven assists in 32 games across competitions. His age and profile are ideal for Los Blancos and he could be the Kroos replacement that the club are crying out for.