Premier League Scouts Monitor Kees Smit at Stadium of Light
Premier League scouts, including representatives from Liverpool, watched AZ Alkmaar midfielder Kees Smit at the Stadium of Light as Sunderland beat the Dutch side 1-0 in Europa League action on Wearside.
The 20-year-old started the match and produced an eye-catching display, despite Regis Le Bris’ side securing victory through a late Enzo Le Fee penalty.
According to TEAMtalk, Liverpool sent scouts to Wearside specifically to assess Smit, whose performances for AZ this season have attracted growing interest from clubs across the Premier League. Sunderland’s win over the Dutch club therefore doubled as a shop window for one of their opponents.
The presence of top-flight scouts at a European night on Wearside underlines the profile Sunderland’s own fixtures now carry, with visiting clubs bringing recruitment staff along to run the rule over opposition as well as the hosts.
Details of Smit scouting mission
TEAMtalk journalist Graeme Bailey provided the initial reporting on the scouting mission. Describing the context of Smit’s involvement, Bailey wrote:
“Smit was part of the AZ side that travelled to Sunderland and suffered a 1-0 defeat at the Stadium of Light on Tuesday, with a number of Premier League scouts making the trip to Wearside to assess the highly-rated midfielder.”
Bailey also detailed how Smit performed despite the result going against his side, noting:
“The 20-year-old started the game and produced another eye-catching display despite AZ ultimately being denied a point by Enzo Le Fee’s late penalty for Regis Le Bris’ side.”
According to TEAMtalk, Liverpool are considering a £51.5m move for Smit in the January transfer window.
There is no suggestion at this stage that Liverpool have submitted a formal bid or opened official talks with AZ Alkmaar, and the figure should be read as reported interest rather than an agreed valuation.
Any deal at that level would represent a significant investment for a player of Smit’s age and experience.
Liverpool, managed by Andoni Iraola, continue to assess midfield options as the winter window approaches, though the club have made no public comment on the reported interest.
