Kees Smit: the 'new Pedri' in FC Barcelona's sights

Published New:14/11/2025 - 01:12h

Updated New:14/11/2025 - 01:12h

Kees Smit is one of Dutch football's most promising midfielders. The 19-year-old player has already won the European Championship in his category with the Netherlands, and Ronald Koeman has compared him to Pedri

FC Barcelona has not lost sight of the promising Dutch midfielder Kees Smit. The 19-year-old player came onto the Blaugrana radar after winning the U-19 European Championship with the Netherlands, a tournament in which he was MVP and top scorer with 4 goals. Now, he has established himself as a starter at AZ Alkmaar and continues to receive praise in his country.

One of the latest to surrender to Smit's talent was none other than Ronald Koeman. The 'Orange' coach compared him to Pedri González, whom he debuted at Barça in 20/21 at the age of 18.

"I see Pedri's traits in Kees... the turns, the use of both feet, the vision of play... that's what I saw in Pedri back then. What he's showing at such a young age is impressive," Koeman argued.

Kees Smit 'opens up' about Barça's possible interest

Although the 18-year-old player made it clear last summer that he is not dazzled by rumors about the possible interest from Barça and/or Real Madrid, he also has a clear preference for the Catalan team. Pedri and Frenkie de Jong, his main role models in midfield, have a lot to do with this.

"I watch almost all of Barcelona's matches. It's simply my favorite club," Smit said in an interview with 'ESPN'. He also expressed his flattery at the comparison made by Ronald Koeman.

"I wasn't expecting it, but I think it's a good comparison. I understand that people might have found it a rather strange simile. Before it was De Bruyne and now I'm Pedri. Or Frenkie de Jong," Kees said jokingly.

This season, the Heiloo native **has scored 2 goals and provided 4 assists in 19 games (1,518 minutes)** for AZ. The midfielder has already scored his first goal in the Conference League and is a key player in coach Maarten Martens' system, who has managed to keep the team among the top three places in the Eredivisie

AZ Alkmaar awaits offers for Kees Smit in 2026

Kees Smit, MVP and Top Scorer of the U-19 Euro 2025

Although he has a contract until 2028, his club understands that it will be difficult to keep the 18-year-old player much longer if he continues to shine in the Dutch league. **Kees Smit's release clause would be around 25 million euros**, 15 'kilos' above his current value on 'Transfermarkt'.

Barça, while valuing the Dutch international's talent, currently does not plan to sign more offensive midfielders. The club's confidence in Pedri and Gavi is total, beyond the Andalusian's physical problems. The commitment to Frenkie, who recently renewed until 2029, as well as to Marc Bernal and Marc Casadó, has also been ratified.