Barcelona have already got a stacked first-team midfield with the likes of Frenkie de Jong, Pedri, Gavi, Marc Bernal, Dani Olmo and Fermin Lopez.
There’s additionally a pipeline of midfielders coming by means of La Masia, like Guille Fernandez, Brian Farinas and Oriol Goren, who all appear to have the expertise to make it to the primary staff.
So as to add much more firepower, particularly to their defensive midfield, Barça are also in negotiations to attempt to signal Rodri from Manchester Metropolis.
The 30-year-old World Cup winner would remodel Barça’s midfield from an excellent one to probably Champions League-worthy, and negotiations are in full swing.
Regardless of all this, in response to AS, Barça have positioned themselves within the race to signal gifted Dutch midfielder Kees Smit.
Barcelona preserving tabs on Kees Smit
The report mentions that Barça are simply monitoring the scenario and that any critical pursuit will finally rely upon the Rodri deal’s end result.
Actual Madrid and Atletico Madrid are additionally fascinated by signing the 20-year-old, whose agent is Jorge Mendes.
Smit has been thought-about one of many brightest midfield prospects in Dutch soccer for a number of years.
His repute grew considerably throughout AZ’s 2023 UEFA Youth League triumph, and he has since established himself at senior degree.
The midfielder’s means to make use of each ft, mix in tight areas and break opposition strains has attracted consideration from Spain’s greatest golf equipment.
Atletico already tried to signal him in the course of the earlier winter window, whereas Actual Madrid have Smit on their radar.
For Barça, in the event that they handle to signal Rodri, making one other main midfield funding could be troublesome to think about this summer time, notably with Smit’s valuation probably reaching round €60 million.
Smit has already made his Barcelona choice clear
There’s, nonetheless, an intriguing element working in Barça’s favour ought to they ultimately resolve to pursue him.
Smit has brazenly described himself as a Barcelona supporter and beforehand revealed that he follows the membership carefully, saying he watches virtually each match.
The teen has additionally beforehand left the door open to a future transfer to Catalonia, indicating that he would be willing to listen if Barcelona approached him for negotiations.
The participant has additionally reiterated that Pedri and Frenkie de Jong are two of his favorite gamers to observe each sport.
A 2027 transfer may make extra sense for Barça
Maybe probably the most attention-grabbing factor of the scenario is that Smit doesn’t essentially want to depart AZ instantly.
The Dutchman is open to spending one other season along with his present membership, the place common soccer would enable him to proceed growing.
One chance would even contain agreeing a switch forward of the 2027-28 marketing campaign. From Barcelona’s perspective, that timeline may very well be way more engaging.
Rodri is the precedence immediately, whereas Barça already possess appreciable younger midfield expertise.
There’s little cause to spend closely on Smit just because Madrid and Atletico have an interest.
Nevertheless, a participant of his profile, age and technical qualities is actually value monitoring, notably when he has already made his affection for Barcelona clear.
For now, Rodri comes first. Smit, nonetheless, may shortly change into a reputation value remembering for the longer term.
