Barcelona & Real Madrid battle Liverpool for midfield signing

Spanish football’s two biggest clubs are ready to lock horns with Premier League champions Liverpool over the signing of AZ Alkmaar Kees Smit.

This comes as interest in the services of the Dutchman begins to mount across the continent.

Smit, a 19-year-old midfielder, is widely considered to be a future star in the making, hailed for his technical abilities, vision, range of passing and eye for goal.

Despite his tender years, the youngster is already a regular for AZ, with two goals and two assists to his name across 12 Eredivisie appearances this season.

In turn, it should come as little surprise to learn of some of the game’s leading clubs beginning to sniff around his signature.

As per a report from Fichajes, both Barcelona and Real Madrid have long set sights on a deal for Smit.

The Clásico rivals, though, will be forced to stave off competition from England, too, amid confirmation that Liverpool have joined the queue for the Dutch starlet.

AZ are for their part expected to demand a sum in the region of €25 million to part with the club’s crown jewel.

Conor Laird – GSFN