Newcastle United want to sign a midfielder during the January transfer window, amid links with a move for AZ Alkmaar’s Kees Smit.
Smit is one of Newcastle United’s January transfer targets, with the club considering moving for a young central midfielder ahead of 2026.
Still, actually signing Smit may be difficult.
Who is the one player you were FURIOUS with Newcastle United for selling? Go back as far as you want!
I’ll start: I’m still not over Mike Ashley selling Andy Carroll to Liverpool all those years ago!😡
Indeed, Smit is also attracting transfer interest from Chelsea, and Magpies fans will be all too aware about what happens when Newcastle battle the Blues for a player.
Chelsea, of course, beat Newcastle to the signing of Joao Pedro and Liam Delap earlier this year.
As such, those behind the scenes at the club have a list of potential alternatives.
Newcastle United’s three alternatives to Kees Smit ahead of January transfer window
According to The Athletic, Newcastle are considering options.
On Smit, the club are wary about their chances of landing him next month, but hope an aggressive approach could sway the race into their favour.
They suggest that Lamine Camara of Monaco, Valencia midfielder Javi Guerra and Auxerre midfielder Kevin Danois are also on their radar.
Internally, there is believed to be a desire to strengthen Eddie Howe’s squad ahead of the second half of what has so far been an inconsistent campaign.
However, the club will not be rushing into making signings in the January transfer window and are not expecting a major spend unless the right deal emerges.
Knowing what you know now, would you have sold Alexander Isak in 2024 instead of Elliot Anderson? 🤔
In this scenario, we still win the Carabao Cup by the way 😂
One didn’t want to leave. The other did his best to.
Newcastle United have already been linked with a midfielder who plays exactly like Kees Smit
Though he’s not mentioned in the report, Newcastle have also been linked with a move for Luciano Valente of Feyenoord.
Interestingly, the 22-year-old Dutch midfielder looks like the one who plays in the most similar way to Smit.
FBREF data compares players playing across European football based on their statistics over the past year.
Of the ten players who rank alongside Smit, Valente is second.
It remains to be seen which midfielder Newcastle actually sign in January but, if they can’t get Smit, perhaps Valente can deliver what they’re looking for.
It is interesting, then, that he’s not mentioned in the report.
Sign up to TalkingPoints for free to join the conversation about all things Newcastle United with Geordie Boot Boys!
Receive a digest of our best Newcastle content each week direct to your mailbox
