Kees Smit, 19, from AZ Alkmaar, is being considered by Manchester United. Real Madrid, FC Barcelona, FC Bayern, and Borussia Dortmund are also monitoring Smit. It was reported that there is already contact between Manchester United and the player's representatives. The transfer fee would be approximately 28 million euros.

Manchester United face competition from Chelsea and Liverpool for AZ player Kees Smit. The Daily Briefing claims that United have opened transfer talks with the player. AZ will demand their transfer record is broken for a sale to be completed, which means a bid of over €25 million will be required, the sum AC Milan paid for Tijjani Reijnders. Smit’s Estimated Transfer Value is €10.8m, having risen from €2.5m in May. Dutch transfer expert Lars Leeftink believes that AZ will find it difficult to reject a deal, although he questions whether a move to Manchester United or Liverpool is the best decision for the developing player.

An anonymous source has stated that Smit is likely to leave AZ Alkmaar in the summer of 2026. The Eredivisie club had wanted to keep Smit, who has a contract until 2028, but there is now an acceptance that they will probably have to sell him. The source explained that people at AZ are aware that Smit is likely to attract offers and are now open to letting him go for the right price next summer. A figure of £25m is reportedly being discussed, and a deal could potentially be agreed in January to be completed in the summer. While multiple clubs have scouted him, it is claimed that so far only Manchester United have made contact with the player. According to the source, Christopher Vivell has been internally discussing Smit for some time and has also contacted the player to gauge his interest in a move. This is not the same as formal club-to-club talks and the situation is still considered to be at an early stage.

According to reports from CentreDevils, Manchester United have increased the pace of their scouting of AZ Alkmaar midfielder Kees Smit, as the club considers the 19-year-old a potential key part of their long-term rebuild. Scouts across Europe have been impressed by his ability, which brought him to United's attention. Man United’s Director of Recruitment, Christopher Vivell, has discussed Smit internally, highlighting him as one of the most complete young midfield profiles available. It is reported that Vivell and the club’s scouting team have monitored Smit closely throughout the season, viewing him as an ideal long-term addition to a United midfield that has lacked consistency, control, and durability.