Newcastle enter talks to sign £52m midfielder

Lessons learned by Newcastle United. Last summer’s disastrous transfer window ended up ruining the Magpies’ 2024/25 season before it even started, and Eddie Howe almost lost his job.

But he survived and is now working with technical director Ross Wilson to improve the situation. It’s frustrating that Newcastle have already lost out on Victor Muñoz from Liverpool, but with players like Said El Mara and Matias Fernandes-Pardo attracting the attention of the Thun, there is plenty of time to pivot to alternatives.

The St James’ Park side finished 12th in the Premier League last season and need to improve further, but Howe will have to contend with another wave of high-profile departures.

Newcastle want to strengthen, but they also need to sell. After all, Howe’s project was always going to be derailed by a mid-table finish in the Premier League after a stellar few years.

Anthony Gordon has already been sold to Barcelona for £69m and now Sandro Tonali is inching towards his departure, with Arsenal and Tottenham Hotspur seemingly locked in a shootout over the Italian maestro’s contract.

Newcastle haven’t had the perfect start to the transfer window, but they have set their sights on strengthening their midfield and the player in question has emerged as one of Europe’s most exciting prospects.

Newcastle have been approached by representatives who would like to oversee the transfer of AZ Alkmaar midfielder Keith Smit this summer, according to TEAMtalk, with the Magpies reportedly reinforcing their long-standing admiration for the Dutch midfielder.

Sources close to the player insist he is not keen on leaving the club, but Newcastle’s scouting network has been reporting on Smit for some time, saying the fundamentals could be shaken as negotiations progress.

Smit is valued at £52m. He may only be 20 years old but he is already firmly established in AZ’s first team and rival interest from the likes of Chelsea, Liverpool and Tottenham Hotspur highlights the talent the Thun could sign ahead of the 2026/27 season.

Why Sumit could replace Tonali at Newcastle

Smit has already been hailed as a midfielder with “superstar potential” by Dutch analyst Ben Mattinson, who is cut from fine cloth.

A natural playmaker, Sumit is elegant and technical, but also combative when needed. Mattinson has also described him as a “dueling monster”, a key fact that could ensure he makes a real run on Tyneside and breaks into the Premier League.

Newcastle would be prepared for interest in Tonali, but the slot is young and suitors are fierce. Tottenham have already seen their bid rejected, but Howe and the team are determined to show they have learned from last year’s mistakes, releasing the fugitive player at the right price and at the right time.

Smit may be young, but he has all the qualities to succeed in the Italian’s place, especially with an all-powerful general like Bruno Guimarães pulling the strings by his side.

This might be a good time to remind Sumit about his age and so-called inexperience. But in some cases, you might say, “So what?” Smit is the real deal, and after just two seasons as a first-team regular (only nine starts in the 2024/25 Eredivisie), he is already establishing himself as one of the most well-rounded players in the division.

Strangely enough, he is quite compatible with Tonali. Both midfielders are strong on the ball, well-educated, progressive and combative when needed.

Smit was unlucky to be overlooked by Ronald Koeman ahead of the World Cup in Mexico, Canada and the United States. But his time will come, and as he prepares to go his own way and make smart choices, perhaps Newcastle will be able to advance his career, provide the perfect platform to develop his skills and revive a team that has already shown they can challenge for silver.