Newcastle Not Convinced On Star’s Desire As Liverpool Team To Keep An Eye On Verdict Dropped

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Richard Pelham/Getty Images Newcastle United have ‘never been convinced’ AZ Alkmaar midfielder Kees Smit wanted to join them, with Liverpool now dubbed a club to ‘keep an eye on’, according to journalist Luke Edwards. The midfielder joined AZ Alkmaar at the age of nine and has progressed through every level of the academy, making more than 100 appearances across the club’s Under-17 to Under-21 sides.

Newcastle were credited with an interest in the star last November, with AZ understood to be willing to consider a sale for a fee north of £22m, while Smit was keen to test himself at a higher level. Newcastle now appear in danger of missing out, with Liverpool labelled a club to ‘keep an eye on’, while the Magpies were never fully convinced the Dutchman wanted to move to St James’ Park.

The Tyneside club are also facing uncertainty over Sandro Tonali, with Tottenham Hotspur’s pursuit of the Italian starlet potentially aided by Roberto De Zerbi’s admiration for the midfielder. It remains to be seen how Newcastle’s engine room will shape up by the time pre-season gets under way.