Crystal Palace have now added an exciting young midfielder to their radar ahead of the January transfer window opening in two months’ time.
The summer transfer window has only been closed for a month. But already it seems as though attentions at Crystal Palace are turning towards the January transfer window.
Oliver Glasner might have big plans for the winter window with his side looking like dark horses in the title race, after Crystal Palace’s 2-1 win over Liverpool last time out.
Ahead of a Conference League opener against Dynamo Kyiv on Thursday evening, Palace find themselves in 3rd place of the Premier League table and on an incredible 18-game unbeaten run in all competitions.
Crystal Palace join race to sign Kees Smit
An emerging report from BBC Sport has now revealed a new name on Crystal Palace’s transfer radar which is teen midfielder Kees Smit at AZ Alkmaar. The 19-year-old burst onto the scene this summer winning the U19 Euros with the Netherlands, whilst also being the tournament’s top scorer and Player of the Tournament too.
A central midfielder, Smit broke through last season with 20 Eredivisie performances for AZ and he already has six this season, with a goal and two assists to his name. As things stand, AZ sit in 5th place of the Dutch top flight after finishing 5th last time round.
Coincidentally, Smit will be playing at Selhurst Park next month, providing he doesn’t pick up an injury, with AZ drawn away against Crystal Palace in the Conference League on November 6th.
Kees Smit has already revealed how much he thinks he’s worth
Smit has become a household name in the Netherlands after his standout summer at the Euros. He’s even had links to the likes of Real Madrid and Barcelona.
Speaking after the U19s tournament, Smit was directly asked how much he thinks he’s worth in the transfer market.
Pressed on whether he thinks he’s worth at least €25million (£21.8million), Smit joked: “Well, more, I think. Maybe five or 10 million more.”
But given the amount of interest in him and his strong start to this season, we could expect Smit’s transfer value to keep on growing and growing.
For Palace, he could be the perfect replacement for long-term Real Madrid target Adam Wharton.
