"I will 100%" - Top Newcastle target Kees Smit goes public with transfer plans

Almost two weeks into the January transfer window, and there doesn’t look to be much happening in the terms of incomings at St James’ Park.

After the spate of injuries that have hit the squad in recent weeks, efforts should have intensified to bolster the squad depth heading into the most important period of the season.

However, it looks like a certain target won't be arriving on Tyneside, or anywhere else for that matter, over the next fortnight, with Dutchman Kees Smit speaking out on his future.

Smit speaks out 

Top midfield target Kees Smit has ruled out a January move not only to Newcastle, but also any potential new club as he remains committed to AZ Alkmaar for the rest of the 2025/26 campaign.

Speaking to ESPN after AZ’s latest game, a 1-0 win against FC Volendam, the youngster clarified his transfer stance after intense interest from ourselves, Chelsea and Real Madrid in the past few weeks.

“I know how it is. That's the most important thing, but I don't want to say much about it.

"It (a move) is definitely not going to happen this winter. I will 100% stay here.”

“It's great that it's a big fee, of course, but I mainly want to focus on football. We'll see what happens.”

Though initial reports indicated that Smit’s signature would be worth in the region of £20m-30m, the interest shown by Europe’s footballing (and financial) powerhouses, coupled with some strong performances in the Eredivisie and Conference League, has caused his market value to skyrocket beyond £40m.

It had been reported that Newcastle's best shot at signing the 19-year-old was this month, before European giants all enter the race in the summer, so his decision to stay this month may be an ominous one for us.

What next after Smit admission?

With our top winter target now off the table, it looks like there are two options for Howe, Ross Wilson and the recruitment team to look at.

The first being prioritising signing one of the other young midfielders we’ve been linked with in recent weeks: Kevin Danois from Auxerre and Feyenoord’s Luciano Valente would both be welcome additions.

The other option is perhaps less than ideal in the eyes of fans, but may make more financial sense: stick with our current midfield options for the next six months and prioritise January spending elsewhere.

Unless a suitor comes in with a strong offer for Joe Willock this month, Howe will be keen to keep the former Arsenal man as one of his six centre midfield options, especially now Miley may be needed at right-back.

Considering the injuries to Fabian Schar and Tino Livramento this past week, as much it would have been fantastic to see Smit or another midfield gem brought in, defensive buys are far more crucial at this moment in time.