Manchester United welcome rivals Leeds United to Old Trafford in the Premier League on Monday night.
The Red Devils currently sit third in the top flight table and are on course to qualify for next season’s Champions League, although it remains to be seen whether or not caretaker head coach Michael Carrick will be appointed on a permanent basis.
The Englishman has overseen a marked improvement since taking charge in January, with Ruben Amorim having endured a dismal spell at the helm previously.
Ahead of the visit of the Whites, it has emerged that Manchester United are in the race to sign a talented young Dutchman.
According to CaughtOffside, the Red Devils are one of numerous European sides that are monitoring AZ Alkmaar midfielder Kees Smit, 20.
The young midfielder is enjoying a meteoric rise in the Netherlands, having graduated through AZ’s youth system.
Smit has attracted interest from several of Europe’s biggest clubs (Photo: Orange Pics BV/Alamy)
Smit made his senior debut for the club in March 2024, and has now featured 73 times across all competitions for the Eredivisie side, scoring six goals and providing ten assists.
It is claimed that several clubs from the Premier League – including Arsenal, Liverpool, Newcastle United and Chelsea – are all tracking the youngster, with a big summer move looking increasingly likely.
Spanish champions Barcelona are also said to have been keeping tabs on the Dutchman, who made his senior debut for the Netherlands in March.
AZ are said to value the midfielder at around £40-45 million, but it remains to be seen whether or not interested clubs would be willing to pay that amount to sign the player.
Smit’s contract with his boyhood club is set to run until the summer of 2028, but it appears increasingly likely that the midfielder will leave the club during the upcoming transfer window.