Liverpool to hijack Newcastle transfer – again – this time for £52m…

Liverpool has the opportunity to outmaneuver Newcastle in the race to acquire AZ Alkmaar midfielder Kees Smit for approximately €60m (£52m).

Last summer, Liverpool disrupted Newcastle’s attempt to secure Hugo Ekitike by spending £79m, which strained relations as negotiations for Alexander Isak continued.

Ultimately, Liverpool set a Premier League record by investing £125m to bring Isak to Anfield.

Just a week ago, Liverpool repeated this tactic by signing Victor Munoz from Osasuna after Newcastle made several low offers to the La Liga club, while Liverpool simply activated his €40m (£34.6m) release clause.

Now, they have the chance to do it once more with Smit.

Liverpool could potentially secure a third transfer from Newcastle United by acquiring Kees Smit.

According to TEAMtalk journalist Graeme Bailey, Liverpool is now positioned to outpace Newcastle in the pursuit of Smit, although numerous clubs are also interested in the talented 20-year-old.

The competition to sign the highly-rated AZ Alkmaar midfielder Kees Smit is intensifying, with Newcastle United at the forefront of a growing list of suitors, having intensified their efforts to sign the 20-year-old after he expressed his willingness to move this summer.

Bailey states: “Sources have confirmed that Newcastle has increased their efforts in recent weeks, reaffirming their long-standing admiration for one of Dutch football’s most promising young talents. Newcastle’s recruitment team has been monitoring Smit for a considerable time and believes his technical skills, intelligence on the ball, and ability to control the pace of matches make him a perfect fit for their long-term strategy.

“Newcastle is not alone in their pursuit of a player for whom AZ is likely to demand €60m (£52m, $69m).

“We can reveal that Tottenham Hotspur, Chelsea, and Liverpool – all of whom have been long-time admirers of the Netherlands Under-21 international – have also been contacted regarding his availability as interest grows.