Bournemouth Eyeing AZ Alkmaar Midfielder Kees Smit as Potential Scott Replacement

AZ Alkmaar's 20-year-old midfielder Kees Smit remains one of the most promising talents in European football, having recently extended his contract until June 2030. Previously linked with Real Madrid, Barcelona, and Liverpool—and tipped for a brilliant future by Netherlands legend Ronald Kueman—Smit has faced recent fitness setbacks that forced him to miss five of the last six Eredivisie matches after starting the first four.

According to TEAMtalk, Smit has emerged as a prime candidate for Bournemouth to replace Alex Scott. The Cherries anticipate losing Scott in the coming months and expect to generate around 80 million euros from his departure, providing the financial muscle to pursue the Dutch youngster in January. The move is viewed as a potential stepping stone for Smit to showcase his talent under intense Premier League pressure before eventually moving to an elite European club.