OM: Young Dutch talent coveted, but high price

Kees Smit: A Risky Bet for OM?

Friends, today we saw a rumor circulating that's already causing quite a stir: OM is reportedly interested in Kees Smit, a 19-year-old Dutch midfielder who has made a name for himself at AZ Alkmaar. So, just a glance or a real hot lead? Let's dive into this subject that's been shaking the OM world for the past few hours.

A Promising Talent, but at What Cost?

Kees Smit is the kind of player you hear about all over the Netherlands. Versatile (midfielder, central, or even offensive), he has already caught the eye of major clubs like Barça or Manchester United. When you look at his stats in the U19s (10 goals, 7 assists, not bad for a midfielder!), you understand why. But be careful, the boy only has 18 professional matches under his belt...

Where it becomes tricky is the announced price: at least 18 million euros demanded by AZ Alkmaar. For a player without real experience at the top level, you must admit that's starting to sting, right? Especially as the Dutch reportedly have no intention of letting him go this summer.

Kees Smit an organized midfielder, excellent vision of the game, offensive profile (10 goals and 7 assists in Eredivisie U-19). Madrid has closely followed him, but has not yet finalized any deal despite the interest. pic.twitter.com/mb5Cy9dwn6

— MOHAMED🌙 (@Big_Mz064) July 15, 2025

Should OM Go For It?

Honestly, what do you think? For us, it's an interesting gamble on paper, but it's clearly not the priority right now. With a squad already lacking experienced midfielders, it's hard to see Benatia and De Zerbi splashing out that amount on a youngster who's barely dipped his toes in pro football. Logic suggests we should first bet on solid players, while keeping an eye on Smit to see how he develops.

On the financial side, spending 18M€ on such a young profile is risky. Imagine if the player takes time to adapt or stays on the bench... We've seen it before with other "gambles" that didn't pay off. On the flip side, if Smit explodes elsewhere, we might also regret it. The eternal dilemma of the transfer market, right?

A Case to Watch... but From Afar

In short, folks, we feel like it's not tomorrow that Smit will arrive at La Commanderie. Things could change, we know, but for now, OM seems to be prioritizing other, more experienced profiles to strengthen midfield. We still keep his name in the back of our minds, especially if the club's strategy continues to focus on youth.

And you then, would you be ready to take a chance on Kees Smit at that price? Do you see this kind of gamble as a good idea or madness? Come discuss in the comments, the conversation has started!