Real Madrid has stepped up their interest in talented Dutch midfielder, Kees Smit. While fans might not know him yet, AS has told them to get to know.
The Xabi Alonso era is in full swing and within only a month of managing the side, the club legend has applied his own blueprint. Tactics are shifting, players are being integrated and the overall mood of the fanbase has increased quite substantially.
But Alonso is not done. He won't be done until he's done, that's the kind of manager Real Madrid has brought in.
Now, he's turned his attention to futureproofing yet another position.
Real Madrid show interest in Kees Smit
According to a report from Diario AS, Real Madrid have stepped up a gear in their interest for Kees Smit. The Spanish publication thinks that while no concrete moves have been made yet, Smit is a serious option for Real Madrid this summer.
AS hints that while the option to run down his contract has been explored, him being an unknown name right now suits Real Madrid. They could pursue a deal as soon as possible, but it will all come down to the negotiation game.
As it stands, Smit is under contract at AZ Alkmaar until 2028. Right now, AS sees this as a viable deal that Real Madrid can explore.
Kees Smit would add another dimension to Xabi Alonso's system
The first thing to say about Kees Smit is that there are many things to say about Kees Smit.
The Dutch midfielder is still young and he's incredibly versatile. While the general consensus is that he plays through the middle zone, it's still up in the air about whether defensive midfield, central midfield or attacking midfield is his best option... Which works for Real Madrid.
Alonso seems to have it all in order, but he'll be the first to admit he doesn't. He's still in an experimental stage, and having multifaceted players like Smit will prove invaluable.
Real Madrid fans will like this comparison, but Smit is similar to Modric in that his footballing IQ vastly outweighs his physical attributes. He can pick up and carry the ball, knowing the right moment to release it. It wouldn't be uncomfortable for him to alleviate his teammates' possession onus in any zone of the pitch.