Manchester United are reportedly leading the race to sign in-demand AZ Alkmaar midfielder Kees Smit, who has also been linked with Liverpool, and the timeline for his potential signing has now been revealed.<\/p>\n
The 19-year-old has established himself as one of AZ\u2019s most important players, having notched two goals and two assists in 11 league appearances this season.<\/p>\n
Smit has been heavily linked with a switch to the Premier League, though Real Madrid have also been deemed big admirers, too by other outlets.<\/p>\n
A report earlier this week claimed that Liverpool boss Arne Slot is a big fan of the teenager. He knows him well from his time as a coach at AZ and reportedly wants to bring him to Anfield.<\/a><\/p>\n However, according to\u00a0Caught Offside<\/a>,\u00a0United are the only side so far to have \u2018made contact\u2019 with the player\u2019s entourage. But a transfer is more likely to occur next summer, rather than in January.<\/p>\n \u201cEveryone at AZ is aware that Smit is likely to attract offers, and they\u2019re open now to letting him go for the right price next summer,\u201d a source reportedly told Caught Offside.<\/p>\n \u201c\u00a325m is the figure I\u2019m hearing, and I wouldn\u2019t be surprised if a deal ends up initially being agreed in January to then go through in the summer.<\/p>\n \u201cChristopher Vivell [United\u2019s director of recruitment] has been internally discussing Smit for some time now, and he\u2019s also contacted the player to sound him out about a move,\u201d my source said.<\/p>\n \u201cIt\u2019s important to note that this is not the same as formal club-to-club talks or anything like that, so it\u2019s still early days, but a sign of United\u2019s intent, for sure.\u201d<\/p>\n READ MORE\u00a0\ud83d\udd34\u26ab\u00a0Who from Wharton, Baleba or Anderson Man Utd should prioritise signing? \u2013 \u2018A game-changer for Amorim\u2019<\/a><\/p>\n Man Utd searching for their next midfield superstar<\/p>\n We have consistently reported that strengthening in midfield is a top priority for United<\/a>. TEAMtalk understands the plan is for them to sign one midfielder in January, and another next summer.<\/p>\n Smit certainly has the potential to be world-class. His playing style has drawn comparisons with Barcelona superstar Pedri, and a move to a top side seems inevitable.<\/p>\n \u00a325m could be considered a bargain for Smit if he reaches the levels expected of him, but even if United are the only side to have \u2018made contact\u2019 so far, more suitors, including potentially Liverpool<\/a>, are set to emerge in the coming weeks.<\/p>\n He isn\u2019t the only midfielder of interest to the Red Devils. The likes of Elliot Anderson, Adam Wharton and Carlos Baleba all figure highly on the shortlist.<\/p>\n However, the trio could be out-of-reach in January. If the same goes for Smit, they are likely to focus their efforts on attainable winter targets, for now.<\/p>\n Smit is certainly a player to keep a close eye on. He is contracted with AZ until 2028, so they are in a position where they\u00a0could stand firm and wait\u00a0to sell him next summer, as reports suggest.<\/p>\n Latest Man Utd news: McTominay return \/ Rennes pair scouted<\/p>\n In other news, TEAMtalk transfer correspondent Fraser Fletcher has revealed that the Red Devils have made contact with Scott McTominay\u2019s agents over a potential return to Old Trafford.<\/a><\/p>\n McTominay has impressed for Napoli since leaving United and other Premier League sides Arsenal, Tottenham, and Everton are also considering moves for him.<\/p>\n However, Napoli will demand a mammoth sum for a mid-season sale.<\/p>\n In other news,\u00a0United have reportedly sent scouts to watch Rennes youngsters\u00a0Jeremy Jacquet and\u00a0Mohamed Kader Me\u00efte<\/a>\u00a0in action recently.<\/p>\n Jacquet was heavily linked with a move to Arsenal in the summer, before they decided to focus on other targets.<\/p>\n