Rio Ferdinand urges Manchester United to sign AZ Alkmaar's Kees Smit
Manchester United are being urged by club legend Rio Ferdinand to make a move for AZ Alkmaar midfielder Kees Smit this summer. The former defender, speaking on his 'Rio Ferdinand Presents' show, made an impassioned plea for his old club to win the race for the 20-year-old Dutch midfielder, who has been linked with several top European clubs.
Ferdinand was emphatic in his assessment, stating the club should sign Smit even if he is not an immediate starter. "Kees Smit is the truth, man, I’m telling you," Ferdinand said. "He’s one you go: 'I’m buying him.' It doesn’t have to be for now. I hope he does come in and takes the world by storm, but if we’ve got to wait six months, a year, I do not care. We cannot let him go elsewhere." The 20-year-old has earned one cap for the Netherlands and has been a standout performer for AZ in the Eredivisie.
According to reports, AZ Alkmaar have set an asking price of around €25 million for Smit, a figure that is not expected to deter major Premier League suitors. His Estimated Transfer Value is currently listed at €19.5 million. The 20-year-old is considered a more affordable and long-term prospect compared to other United midfield targets like Sandro Tonali or Adam Wharton, who have been valued at figures approaching €100 million.
Data analytics firm SciSports has given Manchester United a Club Fit score of 71 for Smit, indicating a strong potential fit at Old Trafford. The report suggests that while the club's current playing style slightly lowers the score, Smit's potential for development and likely game time are high. The potential departure of senior players like Casemiro could open a pathway for more minutes for a younger player like Smit.
However, Dutch football expert Milan van der Velden has urged caution, suggesting Smit may need an intermediate step before a move to the Premier League. "A step in between would be much better," van der Velden said, comparing Smit's playing style to a "Frenkie de Jong light." He suggested a move to a club like Ajax, PSV, or Feyenoord could be more beneficial for the player's development before a major transfer.
Smit, who is under contract with AZ until 2027, is also being monitored by Newcastle United, Chelsea, Liverpool, and Spanish giants Barcelona and Real Madrid. Manchester United are in the market for midfield reinforcements this summer, and Ferdinand's public endorsement adds significant weight to the growing speculation linking the club with a move for the Dutch youth international. The club's new sporting structure, led by incoming sporting director Dan Ashworth, will have the final say on whether to pursue Ferdinand's recommendation.
