Real Madrid’s pursuit of midfield reinforcements continues to be a prominent topic as the club assesses its options for the upcoming season, regardless of its performance in current competitions. The need for improvement in the center of the park is clear, potentially involving departures as well as arrivals.
Recent reports have linked Argentinian international Enzo Fernández, currently at Chelsea, as a key target for Los Blancos. According to Topskills Sports, Real Madrid is “actively monitoring the market” for midfield talent, with Fernández and Liverpool’s Dominik Szoboszlai identified as admired players. However, a move for Fernández is considered “extremely improbable” due to the significant financial commitment required.
The report indicates that Fernández is open to a future move to the Santiago Bernabéu, but is under contract with Chelsea until 2032, and the Blues have no intention of selling their star midfielder. This mirrors the situation with Szoboszlai, who is also deemed unlikely to leave Liverpool at this time.
Kees Smit Emerges as a Realistic Option
With both Fernández and Szoboszlai appearing out of reach, Real Madrid is turning its attention to more attainable targets. Dutch midfielder Kees Smit, 20, of AZ Alkmaar, has emerged as a leading candidate. The report suggests Smit represents a more affordable option, with a potential price tag of around €60 million.
This shift in focus aligns with recent developments reported on , where Real Madrid acknowledged the difficulty of securing deals for established midfielders like Vitinha of Paris Saint-Germain. The club is now prioritizing younger players with high potential, and Smit fits that profile.
Real Madrid’s head scout, Juni Calafat, has been closely monitoring Smit, considering him a priority signing. The club is keen to avoid a repeat of the situation involving Enzo Fernández, who was a previous target but ultimately joined Chelsea. This underscores the urgency to secure Smit’s signature before other European giants express serious interest.
Chelsea, too, are actively pursuing Smit, with Enzo Maresca’s side reportedly aiming to finalize a pre-agreement with the player in the coming months for a transfer next season. However, Smit has reportedly rejected advances from Real Madrid after holding talks with Chelsea in January, according to FootballFanCast, providing a significant boost to the Blues’ chances of securing his services.
Smit’s recent accolades further enhance his appeal. He is a U-19 UEFA European Championships winner with the Netherlands and previously won the UEFA Youth League with AZ Alkmaar, where he is currently under contract until 2028. This season, he has made ten appearances across all competitions, registering three assists, demonstrating his growing influence on the pitch.
The pursuit of Smit highlights Real Madrid’s strategic shift towards identifying and developing young talent. While the club continues to admire established stars like Fernández and Szoboszlai, the financial realities and competition from other top clubs are forcing them to explore alternative options. Smit represents a promising prospect who could contribute to Real Madrid’s long-term project, but Chelsea’s apparent headway in negotiations presents a significant challenge.
The situation is further complicated by the need to address the workload on current Chelsea midfielders Moises Caicedo and Enzo Fernández, both of whom have played over 1,500 minutes this season. A new addition to the midfield is considered a priority for the Blues, and Smit is seen as a potential solution.
As Real Madrid navigates the complexities of the transfer market, the pursuit of Kees Smit underscores the club’s commitment to strengthening its midfield while remaining mindful of financial constraints and competition from rival clubs. The coming months will be crucial in determining whether Los Blancos can secure the signature of this highly-rated young talent, or if he will ultimately choose to continue his development at Chelsea.
