Arne Slot plans ‘mega transfer’ for the ‘next Pedri’

Liverpool are planning a transfer raid on a player who has been dubbed the ‘next Pedri’, but Arne Slot will have to sanction a record fee in order to complete the deal.

Slot is seeking a reunion with AZ star Kees Smit, according to Dutch outlet Soccer News, which reports that the Reds are weighing up a “serious bid” in January.

Smit is said to be mulling over the possibility of a “mega transfer” to Anfield, where he would join compatriots Cody Gakpo, Virgil van Dijk and Slot, who worked with him in AZ’s youth set up.

Any deal will have to set a record for the Eredivisie side, with the report indicating that a deal will have to break AZ’s current transfer record, which stands at the €25m they received from Tijjani Reijnders from AC Milan.

Newcastle United have also been linked with Smit, with Sky Sports confirming that the 19-year-old can leave above that €25m mark.

Smit’s Estimated Transfer Value (ETV) is only €10.8m, but has exploded this season, leaping up from €2.5m in May. Liverpool appear to pay a premium to sign a player that Slot clearly believes in.

Ronald Koeman compares Smit to Pedri

Netherlands boss Ronald Koeman has been enthusiastic about Smit’s future, suggesting that he would back a move with Liverpool. The former Barcelona boss compared him to one of his former charges at Camp Nou in the form of Pedri.

“He has the awareness to receive in tight spaces and move the ball forward. That is something we value. The resemblance people see (with Pedri) is in how he positions himself and his decision-making under pressure,” Koeman told the media this week.

“Big clubs follow players with these characteristics. That is normal. What is important is that he continues developing where he is, playing regularly.”

Expert opinion: Kees Smit to Liverpool

Dutch transfer expert Lars Leeftink believes that AZ will be hard pushed to say no to a deal, although he questions whether a jump to Liverpool is the best decision for a player who is still developing.

“Smit is one of the most talented players in Dutch football, and it will be a challenge for AZ to keep him during the winter transfer window,” Leeftink said.

“Last summer, Smit himself indicated that he would only consider a transfer in the summer of 2026, but with Liverpool and other top European clubs lining up for the creative midfielder, that plan may well change.

“Smit currently lacks the productivity in terms of goals and assists and could be more important to his team. He would be at his best in a technical or tactical league such as the Spanish, French or German league.

“The biggest challenge for Smit in the Premier League will be the physical aspect of the competition, as well as the high number of matches that will be played.

“Whether he is ready for this step is the question. An intermediate step to, for example, a middle-ranking team in the top European leagues or staying with AZ would do him good in that respect.”