Newcastle United to hijack top Barcelona target

The 19-year-old Dutch prospect, known for his impressive creativity and technical skills at AZ Alkmaar, has long been on Barcelona’s radar as a player who could fit into Hansi Flick’s midfield rotation in the coming years.

But with Newcastle United emerging as a serious contender for his signature, the Catalan club now faces a race to finalize a deal that aligns with both the player’s ambitions and the club’s strategic vision.

The player at the center of this growing transfer battle is Kees Smit, who has been compared to Barcelona’s own Pedri thanks to his intelligent movement and on-ball confidence, as reported by Caught Offside.

Smit has caught the attention of top clubs not just in Spain but across Europe, including Liverpool and Manchester United.

However, sources close to the player have indicated that Newcastle United may currently be his preferred option due to their willingness to offer him a more immediate and prominent role.

Still, Barcelona remains deeply interested in the Dutchman, viewing him as a long-term project who can bolster the team’s depth and talent pool.

Spanish media reports suggest Barcelona are prepared to meet AZ Alkmaar’s asking price, reportedly around €25 million, demonstrating their serious intent.

While the likes of Pedri, Frenkie de Jong, and Gavi provide significant competition for midfield minutes, Hansi Flick is understood to want to secure a gifted young midfielder who can evolve with the team.

For Smit, a move to Barcelona represents the opportunity to join a club he passionately follows and develop in a world-class environment.

As Newcastle eyes an audacious move, Barcelona’s challenge will be to convince Smit that the path to first-team football and long-term growth is best pursued at Camp Nou.

The coming months will be crucial in shaping the young midfielder’s career and could prove decisive for Barcelona’s midfield planning in the near future.