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Tottenham had scouts watching AZ Alkmaar talent at the U-19 Euros

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Tottenham have scouted Dutch talent Kees Smit at the Under-19 European Championships

Tottenham recently had scouts watching AZ Alkmaar talent Kees Smit star at the Under-19 European Championships in Romania

Tottenham Hotspur are entering a new era under Thomas Frank.

The North London club have been rather quiet in the transfer window up until this point, with Kevin Danso and Mathys Tel signing permanently as their only new additions. They are yet to bring in any new faces so far in this transfer window, despite being linked to numerous players from all across the globe.

After managing Brentford for seven long years, Thomas Frank arrives at Spurs with his own fresh ideas and philosophy, and given his credentials of developing so many talents at his former club, Daniel Levy will expect the same from him at White Hart Lane. This would also allow Levy to stick to his transfer strategy of recent years of targeting young, hungry and exciting talents with high ceiling.

Netherlands' Kees Smit named UEFA European Under-19 Championship Player of the Tournament
Netherlands’ Kees Smit named UEFA European Under-19 Championship Player of the Tournament

And it looks like the Lilywhites are planning to raid the Dutch market for a fresh, blossoming talent who was recently making waves at a major European tournament.

According to an exclusive report from TBR Football, Tottenham and Chelsea scouts were present in Romania to watch young Netherlands player Kees Smit in action at the Under-19 European Championships. Spurs technical Johan Lange has been busy keeping tabs on the AZ Alkmaar youngster, who was adjudged the Player of the Tournament in Romania.

Fresh from his breakout season at AZ Alkmaar, Kees Smit starred for the Netherlands at the Euros Under-19 recently. He was a key cog in midfield as Peter van der Veen’s side lifted the Under-19 trophy for the first time in the nation’s history. The teenager’s performances at a big stage has caught the attention of plenty of European clubs.

Real Madrid have been alerted to Smit’s situation, and so are Ajax, RB Leipzig, Marseille and Bayern Munich. The midfielder has a contract until 2028 (Transfermarkt) but AZ Alkmaar faces a big fight to keep hold of him amid growing interest, the aforementioned report adds. Apart from Spurs and Chelsea, Premier League outfits such as Liverpool, Manchester City, Manchester United, Aston Villa, Brighton & Hove Albion and Leeds United are all also monitoring his progress.

What did Daniel Levy say after their UEFA Europa League victory for Tottenham Hotspur?
Can Daniel Levy lure talented Dutchman Kees Smit to Tottenham?

Spurs’ recruitment policy in recent years have been youth-driven, with the scouts doing their best to find out hidden jewels from different parts of Europe and the world and bring it to the notice of Levy and his team. This has seen them recruit young talents such as Destiny Udogie, Pape Matar Sarr, Luka Vuskovic, Lucas Bergvall and Yang Min-hyeok, and they are about to enhance their pool by adding Japanese defensive prospect Kota Takai from Kawasaki Frontale.

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Thus, Tottenham’s interest in Smit, one of the ‘crown jewels’ of Dutch football, is not surprising at all. He is an extremely talented player who can play anywhere across the midfield and shone on his breakout campaign at AZ, racking up 18 Eredivisie appearances.

He’d be a smart, long-term investment at N17, but as so many top European clubs are vying for his signature, Levy and Lange have to present an appealing project to Smit and his entourage to tempt him to Spurs.

An avid Football fan and writer. Can often be found rambling on Twitter engaging in heated/constructive discussions.

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