Image source: caughtoffside.com
Real Madrid are planning a comprehensive midfield rebuild with several Premier League stars on their radar, though 19-year-old AZ Alkmaar midfielder Kees Smit has emerged as their primary target. The Spanish giants are assessing established options including Vitinha, Enzo Fernandez, Alexis Mac Allister and Adam Wharton as part of their long-term succession planning beyond their current midfield core.
Real Madrid Identify Premier League Trio as Key Targets for Major Midfield Overhaul
Real Madrid’s recruitment department has assessed several high-profile midfielders as part of their succession planning, with Paris Saint-Germain’s Vitinha, Chelsea’s Enzo Fernandez, Liverpool’s Alexis Mac Allister and Crystal Palace’s Adam Wharton all under consideration. The quartet are highly rated for their technical quality, intelligence and ability to influence games at the top level, representing proven elite-level options for the Santiago Bernabeu hierarchy.
However, Madrid’s focus has increasingly shifted toward identifying the next generational midfielder before his value explodes, leading them to prioritise Kees Smit of AZ Alkmaar. The 19-year-old first caught the attention of Madrid scouts during the 2022-23 UEFA Youth League, where his composure, positional awareness and ability to dictate tempo stood out against elite academy opposition.
Smit’s development at AZ Alkmaar has reinforced Madrid’s belief that he could become a future cornerstone in midfield. Internally, he is viewed as a modern central midfielder, comfortable receiving the ball under pressure, capable of progressing play vertically and tactically mature beyond his years. The Dutch youngster represents a more strategic investment compared to the astronomical sums required to prize away established stars like Fernandez or Mac Allister.
Real Madrid’s interest does not mean a move is imminent, with fierce competition expected for Smit’s signature from several Premier League and Bundesliga clubs tracking his progress closely. AZ Alkmaar, renowned for developing and selling top young talent, are under no immediate pressure to sell and are expected to demand a significant fee if approaches arrive.
The Spanish club are continuing to monitor Smit’s progress closely, gathering data and live scouting reports as part of a long-term plan rather than a short-term fix. While Eduardo Camavinga, Aurelien Tchouameni and Federico Valverde are already part of the Real Madrid midfield, the club are planning for their next midfield general with established stars remaining admired despite their complex contractual situations and price tags.
