Kees Smit close to renewing with AZ as Barça and Madrid rumors swirl
The twenty‑year‑old attacking midfielder, Kees Smit, remains at AZ Alkmaar as a deal to extend his contract until mid‑2030 draws near, despite ongoing rumours linking him with Real Madrid and FC Barcelona, the newspaper Voetbal reported.
Renewal Underway
Smit's contract with AZ Alkmaar expires on 30 June 2028, but according to the newspaper Voetbal, both parties are about to seal an extension that would keep him until mid‑2030. Negotiations have been ongoing for some time and the club has stated that “AZ seems to have hit the nail on the head”. In August, the board told the player that, for now, selling him is not part of the plan.
Training and Projection
The midfielder joined AZ’s academy when he was only nine, and the club is recognised in the Eredivisie for nurturing its academy like few others. Since then, Smit has developed into one of the biggest prospects to emerge from Alkmaar’s academy. His progress has been closely monitored by international observers.
International and Comparisons
Smit is already a full international for the Netherlands, debuting under former Barcelona coach Ronald Koeman, who compared him to Barcelona’s Pedri González. That assessment highlights the technical level the twenty‑year‑old possesses. His presence in the national team reinforces his profile as an emerging talent.
Since childhood, the player has said that FC Barcelona is his footballing reference, stating “I grew up watching Barça and I still watch them”. That admiration has remained constant throughout his career, and continues to be a motivating factor in his public statements.
In April, after AZ’s visit to Barcelona to celebrate the Dutch Cup triumph, Smit joked to the microphones: “if they ask me to negotiate here, I’m totally willing to do so, of course, I have time for it”. The remark reflected his openness to talks, albeit without immediate pressure.
The midfielder has also made clear that his biggest ambition is to play in the Spanish league, preferring it even over the Premier League or other domestic competitions. When the time comes to move abroad, his top priority will be “to play in La Liga”. This preference fuels the rumours about his future.
In recent months, the names of Real Madrid and FC Barcelona have constantly circulated in the media, placing Smit as the Dutch talent most linked to major European clubs, according to journalist Xavier Muñoz. Continuing at AZ until 2030 appears, for now, the safest option for both parties.