Barça enters the race for the new Kroos Xabi Alonso is looking for

Shortly after the Club World Cup ended, Xabi Alonso had drawn multiple conclusions that helped shape the current first team. The Tolosa coach realized, in those analyses, that two more additions were needed aside from those already made so far.

From the Valdebebas offices, they took note of the need to add a center-back and a creative midfielder, preferably with a defensive profile. However, they made it clear to the coaching staff that the next signing would arrive during the summer transfer window of 2026: Álvaro Carreras is the last signing for this season.

The list of potential signings more than covers the request to add another midfielder to the first team, with up to five players, aside from the inconsistent interest in KobbieMainoo. The most outstanding player among those five chosen is none other than Kees Smit, a financially affordable and promising operation in football terms.

At least so far, since FC Barcelona has also reportedly decided to renew its midfield by counting on the AZ Alkmaar player. Kees Smit hasn't missed the opportunity to comment on the interest from these Spanish rivals, whose names he had seen "on social media. That made me proud", he acknowledged in his latest interview.

Monitoring underway

This conversation with De Telegraaf reveals Kees Smit's plans for the current season: "I want to have a good season at AZ. After that, I'll see what happens", the young Dutch midfielder said regarding the approaches from Real Madrid and FC Barcelona. The player makes it clear that his priority is to continue with the Eredivisie team.

At least during this campaign, because "I want to make the leap". To avoid causing alarm among AZ Alkmaar fans and directors, the Dutch midfielder warns that "it doesn't have to be next year. What I do want is to reach the top as soon as possible", revealing his intentions to progress to the elite of European football.

Real Madrid hasn't made any move to approach Kees Smit. At least for now, given the monitoring that the scouts led by Juni Calafat are conducting on the other candidates currently being considered in the Valdebebas offices. Nevertheless, his contract conditions place him at the top of the priority list.

The hypothetical intervention of FC Barcelona in Kees Smit's future would be another strong reason to advance any negotiation for the Dutch midfielder. In addition to adding his talent and quality to Santiago Bernabéu locker room, it would prevent strengthening one of the main rivals in all national and European competitions.