Manchester United set sights on Kees Smit as AZ fix £52m summer price

Manchester United have stepped up interest in 19-year-old AZ Alkmaar midfielder Kees Smit. AZ are adamant he will not leave in January and value him at about £52m for a summer exit. United scouts admire Smit's control in tight spaces, press resistance and progressive passing. The club see him as a long term anchor who can grow alongside their young core. A summer move with add ons and a smart payment structure is the realistic path. The fit is clear tactically and the timeline suits all parties. Momentum is building and United are well placed if they move decisively.

The story sits within United's broader midfield refresh under the new INEOS-led structure, with recruitment prioritising young, technically secure profiles. AZ Alkmaar typically prefer summer exits for crown jewels, when competition peaks and succession plans are locked. Kees Smit has earned first team trust after standout development minutes with Jong AZ, drawing praise in the Netherlands for his scanning, tempo control and clean distribution. Guidance around a £52m valuation for a summer sale has been communicated, with exploratory contacts expected to continue. Reporting in England and the Netherlands aligns on AZ's stance to block January and revisit in June.

🚨 NEW: Manchester United have shown interest in midfielder Kees Smit. AZ Alkmaar do not intend to let him leave in January and are seeking around £52M for a summer sale. [@TheAthleticFC]

@UtdXclusive

Impact Analysis

Smit ticks several boxes United have targeted since reshaping their squad profile toward younger, high-ceiling midfielders. United need a press-resistant first phase outlet who can drop to receive from center backs, turn pressure into progression, and still cover ground in defensive transition. That blend has been missing in periods when the team face an aggressive press or need to manage tempo against compact blocks. Smit's AZ schooling shows in his scanning habits, open-body receiving and quick release under pressure. He is tidy, not flashy, and he values connections. That matters more at Old Trafford than a highlight-reel step-over.

In a medium-term build, pairing an intelligent conductor like Smit with an all-action partner allows Kobbie Mainoo to rotate roles without overloading any single player. It also reduces the stress on an aging destroyer profile in big games. Structurally, a summer deal suits United's FFP planning, and AZ are superb sellers when they set auctions. A fee around £52m will likely be structured with performance add ons and appearance triggers, preserving cash flow while protecting AZ's upside. The Premier League tax is real, but for a 19-year-old with elite fundamentals and strong availability, the long arc of value is compelling.

Reaction

Fan sentiment is split but lively. Many United supporters want urgency in January, pointing to the need for fresh legs in midfield and name-checking alternatives like Carlos Baleba and Angelo Stiller. The frustration is understandable, but AZ's hard no for winter is a pattern regular Eredivisie watchers recognize. Others argue the price is heavy for potential, tossing out figures nearer €25m with a sell on. That feels optimistic against a Premier League buyer in a competitive market.

Plenty of replies lean pragmatic: wait until summer, secure a favorable structure, and avoid paying a panic premium. There is also curiosity about Smit's role fit alongside United's young core, with positive nods to his press resistance and calm on the ball. A few rival fans dismiss the link, but the majority of United voices accept that a summer pathway is the cleanest route. The discussion has real energy, and it centers on timing and structure rather than whether Smit is good enough. That is usually a good sign for a move gathering quiet momentum.

Social reactions

Where do they get these valuations from?

Proxide92 (@OfficialProxide)

Stop making excuses just get us our midfielders in January like baleba and stiller summer Elliot Anderson or whoever this boy is

LurkingKnight (@LArkincrud)

Not worth it looks a propect for the future and I think has said he wants to leave his club,think 25 million euros with a sell on clause probably about right

Stephen Pender (@StephenPender4)

Prediction

Short term, expect United to lay groundwork rather than force a January breakthrough. A pre-summer framework is realistic: broad agreement on fee range, add ons tied to appearances and Champions League qualification, and possibly a sell on percentage that AZ value highly. United could also explore creative protections, such as medical and performance contingencies, to keep headline numbers punchy while easing FFP strain.

Medium term, rival attention will grow if Smit closes the season strongly. Bundesliga and Premier League scouting departments have tracked AZ's pathway for years, and a tidy, press-resistant No 6 or hybrid 6-8 at 19 always draws a crowd. That raises the probability of an auction, but United can blunt that by moving early, showing a clear development plan and minutes map, and by aligning with player and family on adaptation support.

Most likely scenario: talks advance through spring, a summer fee near £52m is agreed with add ons, and Smit joins for preseason to integrate with United's young core. A loan-back is unlikely if United commit at this price, but staggered payments feel nailed on.

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Conclusion

This has the shape of a modern United deal done right. AZ get their summer window, the market sets a clear price corridor, and United secure a high-upside midfielder whose strongest traits fit the gaps we see every week. Smit is not a chaos agent. He is a stabilizer who speeds circulation, resists the press, and knits phases together. That is exactly what a young, evolving United side needs to raise its floor and then its ceiling.

Yes, £52m is robust. But the valuation reflects scarcity and age curve, not hype. Structure it well, trust the development plan, and let the profile grow with Kobbie Mainoo and the rest of the group. From conversations around both camps, summer alignment makes sense for everyone. My read: United push early, stay disciplined, and close this in June if performances hold. It feels like the right player at the right time, and the pathway is clear.