## Real Madrid Eyes Young Talent Kees Smit Amidst Contract Renewals **News Title:** Real Madrid set sights on 19-year-old talent who could be available for €20 million **Report Provider:** Madrid Universal **Author:** Adithya Eshwarla **Published:** September 5, 2025 This report from Madrid Universal details Real Madrid's ongoing interest in AZ Alkmaar's young Dutch midfielder, Kees Smit, and also covers recent contract renewals for first-team stars Thibaut Courtois and Brahim Diaz. ### Key Findings and Conclusions: * **Kees Smit as a Transfer Target:** Real Madrid has identified 19-year-old Kees Smit as a potential future signing. This interest was initially sparked by the possibility of Dani Ceballos leaving the club, a move that ultimately did not materialize. Despite Ceballos staying, Real Madrid continues to monitor Smit. * **Contract Renewals Secured:** Real Madrid has successfully finalized contract renewals for two key first-team players: Thibaut Courtois and Brahim Diaz. * **Competition for Smit:** Several top European clubs, including Manchester City, Chelsea, and Bayern Munich, are also reportedly interested in signing Kees Smit. ### Critical Information and Numerical Data: #### Kees Smit Transfer Prospect: * **Player Profile:** Kees Smit is a 19-year-old Dutch midfield talent from AZ Alkmaar. * **Contract Status:** Smit's current contract with AZ Alkmaar runs until the **summer of 2028**. * **Estimated Transfer Fee:** Smit is valued by his club at approximately **€20 million**. * **Player Performance (Last Season):** * **Appearances:** 18 league appearances. * **Starts:** 9 league starts. * **Defensive Actions:** Averaged over **five defensive actions per game**. * **Key Passes:** Averaged **1.3 key passes every 90 minutes**. * **Real Madrid's Interest:** Juni Calafat is personally following Smit's situation, indicating a serious pursuit by the club. Smit is aware of Real Madrid's interest. * **Potential Impact:** If signed, Smit could potentially join Real Madrid next season under the guidance of Xabi Alonso. #### Contract Renewals: * **Thibaut Courtois:** * **Current Contract Expiry:** Summer 2026 (entering final year). * **New Deal:** Extended until **2027**, a one-year extension in line with the club's policy for players over 30. * **Status:** Agreement reached, official signing and announcement pending. * **Brahim Diaz:** * **Current Contract:** Ran until 2027. * **New Deal:** Contract has been extended after the club was pleased with his performances. * **Status:** Contract signed, official announcement pending. Brahim reportedly never considered leaving despite interest from English and Italian clubs. ### Trends and Changes: * **Proactive Contract Management:** Real Madrid is demonstrating proactive contract management by securing renewals for key players like Courtois and Diaz, ensuring squad stability and long-term planning. * **Focus on Youth Development:** The continued pursuit of young talents like Kees Smit highlights Real Madrid's strategy of investing in future stars. ### Notable Risks or Concerns: * **Transfer Competition:** The strong interest from multiple elite clubs (Manchester City, Chelsea, Bayern Munich) poses a significant challenge for Real Madrid in securing Smit's signature. * **Financial Commitment:** The €20 million valuation for a young player, while not exorbitant for Real Madrid, will still be a decision point for the club. ### Material Financial Data: * **Kees Smit Valuation:** Approximately **€20 million**.
Real Madrid set sights on 19-year-old talent who could be available for €20 million
Read original at Madrid Universal →Photo by Daniel Jayo/Getty Images Share Tweet With Dani Ceballos seemingly set to leave Real Madrid in the closing days of the summer transfer window, Real Madrid had already identified a young profile to take his place in the squad once his departure was confirmed. Eventually, however, the Spaniard’s move away from the club collapsed and he ended up staying under Xabi Alonso’s command and will continue to do so until next summer in all likelihood.
Los Blancos, however, refuse to lose sight of the young talent who had caught their attention and it is none other than AZ Alkmaar’s Kees Smit. Still on the radar As relayed in a recent report by Mundo Deportivo, Real Madrid continue to see Smit as a serious option to improve the squad next summer, and continue to keep tabs on him despite not signing him this summer.
Juni Calafat is personally following the situation of the 19-year-old Dutch star and Real Madrid could well push to sign him next summer. In fact, the player is also aware of the club’s interest in him. Smit’s current contract with AZ Alkmaar runs until the summer of 2028 but Los Blancos are not the only team eyeing his signing as it stands.
Manchester City, Chelsea and Bayern Munich all rate him highly and will fight for his transfer. Smit, as one of the Netherlands’ best-rated midfield talents, will be available for a sum of close to €20 million which is what his club value him at. The question, however, is whether Real Madrid will be willing to shell out that sum for the youngster.
Last season, the Dutch player made 18 appearances and nine starts for AZ Alkmaar in the league averaging over five defensive actions per game and 1.3 key passes every 90 minutes. With Alonso having an eye on him, he could well be donning white next season. Real Madrid News Real Madrid have already closed the contract renewals of two first-team stars – Romano Published 2 minutes agoon September 5, 2025 Photo by Florencia Tan Jun/Getty Images Real Madrid had an eventful summer transfer window during which there were multiple new arrivals and exits.
At the same time, the Merengues also managed to work on some strategic contract renewals which will hold them in good stead. Courtois, Brahim renewals done Indeed, according to Fabrizio Romano, Real Madrid have already successfully secured the contract renewals of first-team stars Thibaut Courtois and Brahim Diaz.
Courtois, the undisputed starter in goal for Los Blancos, has a contract that expires in the summer of 2026, meaning he has entered the final year of his deal. However, Real Madrid have already moved to secure his renewal, with an agreement already reached between all parties and only the official signing and announcement remaining pending at this point.
It is understood that Courtois’ new deal will run until 2027, meaning a one-year extension keeping in line with the club’s policy for players over 30 years old. Renewal signed. (Photo by Angel Martinez/Getty Images) As for Brahim, his contract with Los Blancos ran until 2027, but Real Madrid have offered him an extension after being pleased with his performances.
There were rumours of interest from clubs in England and Italy during the summer transfer window, but the Moroccan international never considered an exit and opted to extend his contract. Romano states that the former Manchester City ace has already signed his new contract at Real Madrid and only the official announcement is pending at this point – much like with the renewal of Ferland Mendy, which was already signed last year but is yet to be announced.
By doing so, Real Madrid have tied down the futures of two important members of the team to the club.
