Fabrizio Romano says Newcastle United face 'battle' in summer to sign midfielder they have 'tried and tried' to sign already
Heading into the January transfer window, there was a lot of talk about Newcastle United trying to outsmart a host of other clubs around Europe to snap up one of the top young prospects on the continent.
Kees Smit has attracted a lot of interest from the top clubs around Europe, and Newcastle were expected to make their move in January in a bid to get a deal done early and avoid a bidding war in the summer.
Unfortunately, AZ Alkmaar and Smit himself are more than aware of the interest from the big hitters and as such, seem determined to wait until the end of the season before making any big decision.
This has ultimately scuppered Newcastle's plans, with Fabrizio Romano now confirming that the Magpies have been at the table trying to get Alkmaar to deal.
Newcastle have been making moves to try to sign Kees Smit
Speaking on his YouTube channel, the transfer insider claims that Newcastle 'tried and tried' to sign Kees Smit but will now have to march onto the battlefield in the summer and try their luck then instead.
“My understanding is that, again in January, the intention is not to move the player. So, a move in January is really unlikely, despite Newcastle trying because Newcastle tried and tried and tried again for Kees Smit. My understanding is that now the deal is really unlikely.
"But, in the summer, the big battle is ready because Real Madrid are following the boy, Premier League, top, top clubs are following the boy. So, it’s going to be a battle really for Kees Smit.”
Newcastle are down but not out
We were already fairly sure that a move this month wasn't on the table, but it seems less and less likely that Smit will be leaving AZ Alkmaar until the end of this season at the earliest.
With the likes of Real Madrid interested in the Dutch midfielder, Newcastle are really going to have their work cut out for them.
Hopefully, Newcastle's expression of interest and the work that they've already put in will help persuade Smit that the club really wants him and will offer him a good future.
