Nottingham Forest have made enquiries for AZ Alkmaar's 20-year-old Dutch midfielder Kees Smit and are part of a group of interested Premier League clubs that also includes Brighton, Crystal Palace, Brentford, and Fulham. The race for the midfielder is reportedly being led by Newcastle United, and sources confirm they have intensified their pursuit. Tottenham Hotspur, Chelsea, and Liverpool have also been approached regarding his availability, with interest also coming from clubs in Spain, Germany, and France. AZ Alkmaar are expected to demand a fee of around €60m (£52m) for Smit. It is believed he is open to a move but is carefully considering his options and will not rush his decision. His contract with AZ Alkmaar runs until June 2028. In the 2025/2026 Eredivisie season, Smit made 26 appearances, scoring 3 goals and providing 3 assists, and he has earned 1 cap for the Netherlands. His current Transfermarkt market value is listed as €25.00m. Reports from early 2026 stated that a €50 million offer from Real Madrid was below AZ's valuation, with the club's asking price reported to be in the €60-80 million range.