Newcastle are in talks to sign the £52m midfielder

Lessons learned at Newcastle United. Last summer’s disastrous transfer window ended up ruining the Magpies’ 2024/25 campaign before it even started, with Eddie Howe almost losing his job.

He survived, however, and is now working with technical director Ross Wilson to fix things. That Newcastle have already missed out on Victor Munoz to draw Liverpool is worrying, but there is plenty of time to look the other way, with the likes of Said El Mala and Matias Fernandez-Pardo both on the Toon’s radar.

The team from St. James’ Park finished 12th in the Premier League last season, and need to do much better, but once again, Howe needs to combat a wave of high-profile departures.

Newcastle want to strengthen, but must sell. After all, a mid-table Premier League finish after several impressive years was always going to end Howe’s project.

Anthony Gordon has already been sold to Barcelona for £69m, and now, Sandro Tonali is on the way out, while Arsenal and Tottenham Hotspur look to be in the running for the Italian maestro’s signature.

Newcastle have never enjoyed a start to the transfer window, but are looking to replace the midfielder, who has emerged as one of Europe’s most exciting prospects.

According to TEAMtalk, Newcastle have been contacted by representatives looking to oversee the transfer of AZ Alkmaar midfielder Kees Smit this summer, with the Magpies reportedly increasing their long-term interest in the Dutch midfielder.

Sources close to the player insist that he is not reluctant to leave, but despite this, Newcastle scouts have been reporting on Smit for a long time, and that could hold momentum as negotiations continue.

Smit is worth £52m. He may only be 20-years-old, but he is already established in AZ’s senior squad, and his suitors from Chelsea, Liverpool and Tottenham Hotspur underline the level of talent the Toon could reach ahead of the 2026/27 campaign.

Why Smit can replace Tonali at Newcastle

Smit has been hailed as a “powerful” midfielder by Dutch pundit Ben Mattinson.

A natural playmaker, Smit is good and technical, but also combative when needed. Mattinson also described him as a “duel monster”, and it is that important fact that can ensure he hits the ground running on Tyneside, entering the Premier League.

Newcastle will be keen on Tonali, but the window is short, and suitors are fierce. Tottenham have already seen a bid rejected, and Howe and company are determined to show they have learned from last year’s mistakes, letting the reluctant player leave for the right price, and at the right time again.

Smit may be small, but he has all the makings of a successful replacement for the Italian, especially with an imposing general like Bruno Guimaraes by his side, pulling the strings.

This might be a good time to issue a reminder about Smit’s age, and his so-called inexperience. But maybe, in some cases, you might say, ‘So what?’ Smit is the real deal, and despite just two seasons of regular first-team football (he only made nine starts in the 2024/25 Eredivisie season), he’s already cementing himself as one of the best players in the division.

It’s amazing how well he gets along with Tonali. Both midfielders are strong and focused on the ball, they improve and fight when they need to too.

Smit had the misfortune of being overlooked by Ronald Koeman before the World Cup in Mexico, Canada and the United States. But his time will come, and as he prepares to take his own path and choose wisely, perhaps Newcastle can provide the perfect platform to further his career and develop his skills, revitalizing a team that has already shown it can challenge for silverware.