Rio Ferdinand tells Man United exactly why they have to sign £52m midfielder Kees Smit this summer

Manchester United legend Rio Ferdinand has urged the club to look at AZ Alkmaar midfielder Kees Smit as a top target this summer.

Last summer, Manchester United were linked with a move for Kees Smit after the Dutch midfielder’s impressive run of form in the Eredivisie.

It is no secret that United will bolster their midfield in the upcoming summer transfer window, but it seems Ineos have pivoted towards Premier League-proven stars like Elliot Anderson and Adam Wharton.

You have £100m to spend on a midfielder – who are YOU buying, Elliot Anderson or Adam Wharton?

Or is there another realistic player you would sign instead? Let us know who!

However, Smit has been compared to Frenkie de Jong, and he is the kind of profile that United are looking for in a midfield signing.

One issue is that Real Madrid are also interested in Smit, but Rio Ferdinand believes United should be going all out for the 20-year-old star.

Rio Ferdinand on Man United target Kees Smit

In the latest episode of Rio Ferdinand Presents, the United legend insisted that Anderson should be the top target this summer, but he also would love to see Smit arrive alongside him.

‘There are others in the market as well, a couple of young ones,” Ferdinand said.

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“Kees Smit – I like him a lot. If you don’t know who he is, go and have a look at him, guys. Kees Smit is a player.

“He’s a young midfielder, he can do a bit of everything really and he’s performing to a very good standard.”

Man Utd target Kees Smit available for £52m this summer

According to The Athletic, AZ Alkmaar are looking for a fee of around €60million (£52m) to sell Smit this summer.

United are not the only club interested either. Alongside Real Madrid, Barcelona, Newcastle United and Borussia Dortmund are also credited with interest.

READ MORE: Man United’s new £52.5m target Felix Nmecha has been compared to box-to-box maestro Leon Goretzka

But with Michael Carrick on track to qualify for the Champions League this season, that would provide over £100 million to the club’s finances and free up some budget to make a move on Smit.

While Smit may not be United’s top midfield target, he is an extremely exciting prospect who could arrive alongside a Premier League star to strengthen the squad for 2026/27.

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