AZ Alkmaar contact Jorge Mendes to sell Kees Smit

AZ Alkmaar are looking to cash in on their star midfielder Kees Smit, as he generates interest from across Europe.

The 19-year-old has been lighting up the Dutch side, establishing himself as the club’s first-choice central midfielder.

Smit has made 58 appearances for the club, with four goals and seven assists, since graduating from the AZ academy in 2024.

Now, with clubs like Chelsea, Manchester City, Barcelona, and Atletico Madrid joining Manchester United in their interest, AZ are set to offload their star.

De Telegraaf has reported that AZ Alkmaar have turned to super agent Jorge Mendes to facilitate a transfer for the talented teenager.

Mendes has been informed of the club’s minimum transfer fee, being given authorisation to negotiate on their behalf.

Jorge Mendes will be working alongside Forza Sports Group, who are the Dutch football agency that represent Kees Smit.

This is a massive step for Smit who has had Europe’s elite in attendance, scouting his games.

The hiring of Jorge Mendes shows that AZ mean business, with the Portuguese agent having been behind some of football’s top deals, including all of Cristiano Ronaldo’s moves.

Aside from the combined near £200 million negotiated across all of Ronaldo’s transfers, Mendes was behind a series of other United moves.

Angel Di Maria’s move from Real Madrid to Old Trafford, and then his departure to PSG were under Mendes, as was the signing of David de Gea, Nani and Anderson.

Away from United, Mendes has been behind moves for close rivals Manchester City, with their signings of Bernardo Silva, Ederson, Joao Cancelo and Ruben Dias.