Real Madrid pull out of race to sign teenage star who prefers move to Barcelona: Reports

Real Madrid have reportedly opted out of the race to sign Barcelona target Kees Smit from AZ Alkmaar. The teenager prefers a move to the Catalan side, which has seen Los Blancos drop their interest.

According to a report in Defensa Central, Smit is keen to join Barcelona, and his comment about Pedri and the Catalan side has made Real Madrid aware of his preference. The club's chief scout, Juni Calafat, was in touch with the player's representatives, as they were looking to make a move for the midfielder at the end of the season.

Los Blancos have been preparing a list of targets for next summer, with a midfielder reportedly high on their priority list. They are looking to bolster the position after losing Toni Kroos and Luka Modric in the last two summers, and saw Smit as an ideal signing.

However, the teenager named Barcelona as his favorite club and said:

"Before it was De Bruyne and now it's Pedri (laughs). Or Frenkie de Jong. I watch almost all of Barcelona's games. It's simply my favourite club."

Manchester United are also reportedly interested in signing the midfielder, who has been slapped with a €25 million price tag. The move would be a club-record sale for AZ Alkmaar, surpassing the €24 million transfer of Tijani Reijnders to AC Milan.

Barcelona and Real Madrid target praised by Ronald Koeman

The Netherlands national team boss, Ronald Koeman, heaped praise on Kees Smit, hailing him as a player who is similar to Barcelona star Pedri. He claimed that the Real Madrid target was a midfielder they are keeping tabs on and said:

"He has the awareness to receive in tight spaces and move the ball forward. That is something we value. The resemblance people see [to Barcelona midfielder Pedri] is in how he positions himself and his decision-making under pressure. But every player must form his own identity."

Meanwhile, Sky Sports have reported that Smit is ready to leave AZ soon and test himself in the big leagues. Journalist Keith Downie said:

"SSN understands Smit is keen to test himself at the highest level ASAP. AZ are open to selling Smit, but only for a record fee. Their current record sale is £21.8m for Tijjani Reijnders AC Milan. Smit is admired at Newcastle United and is seen as a player with a very high ceiling."

Real Madrid and Barcelona are always fighting for the top talents in the world, and Smit is seen as the next big name coming out of the Netherlands.

Edited by Sripad