Transfer news: Ferdinand tells Manchester United to sign Europe’s most exciting young midfielder
Rio Ferdinand is calling on Manchester United to go after AZ Alkmaar’s Kees Smit this summer, as the latest transfer news out of Old Trafford indicates a massive midfield shake-up is already in the works. While appearing on talkSPORT Breakfast with Andy Goldstein and Gabby Agbonlahor, Ferdinand laid out his plan. He insisted that United have to find a replacement for Casemiro right away, naming Elliot Anderson as his preferred “ready-made” pick.
However, he then pivoted to a 20-year-old who is still flying under the radar for most fans outside the Netherlands. “There’s a kid called Kees Smit who I absolutely love. He’s at Alkmaar,” Ferdinand explained. “He wouldn’t be one I’d buy to go in and start immediately because he’s too young and inexperienced, but definitely I wouldn’t want to miss out on him.”
It’s an endorsement that matters. Born in early 2006, Smit wore the captain’s armband for the Netherlands U19s during their historic 2025 European title run, where he was named Player of the Tournament. Right now, he’s valued at roughly €23–25 million with a contract at AZ that runs until 2028.
Does Smit’s profile actually fit what United need in their rebuild?
When you look at the numbers, the kid looks like the real deal. Smit has put up three goals and three assists over 26 Eredivisie matches this season, all while maintaining an 87.86% pass completion rate. His xA of 0.22 per 90 puts him in the top 21% of midfielders in the Dutch league, and he’s consistently creating chances with 1.56 key passes per game.
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What really stands out, though, is how he handles pressure; he’s calm on the half-turn and has a knack for carrying the ball out of tight spots. Of course, there are still rough edges. Smit has picked up five yellow cards this year, showing his defensive positioning still needs work, and jumping from the Eredivisie to the Premier League is a massive leap in intensity. Ferdinand was honest about this, suggesting Manchester United should bring in two or three midfielders rather than putting the weight of the world on Smit’s shoulders right away.
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Should United act now before bigger clubs move in?
The fact that Real Madrid are already keeping tabs on Smit says a lot about the hype building around him. For United, this transfer news is about getting a long-term piece of the puzzle rather than a quick solution. With Casemiro on his way out and Manuel Ugarte likely following, the club will almost certainly need to sign at least two central players this window. Smit is the perfect high-ceiling addition, someone you buy for what he’s going to become. United can’t afford to sit back, especially with rival clubs and better scouting networks already interested. This transfer news deserves a real response from the board.
