New developments in the transfer market have sparked simmering anger within Barcelona following the revelation of a surprising move by renowned agent Jorge Mendes. Mendes has entered advanced negotiations with Real Madrid to sign one of the most promising young talents in European football, despite prior interest from the Catalan club’s management.
The player in question was on the list of targets for Joan Laporta and Deco, and was even included in the future project at Camp Nou, before the situation took a dramatic turn with Mendes’ intervention, steering the deal in a completely different direction.
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Kees Smit: Europe’s Next Gem
The talk is about Dutchman Kees Smit, one of the brightest young names in Europe right now, whose exceptional performances with AZ Alkmaar have made him a prime target for the continent’s elite clubs.
The 19-year-old has established himself strongly thanks to his rapid development and remarkable performances, to the point of being compared to Dutch star Frenkie de Jong in terms of technical and physical abilities, which has made him a focus of attention for top-tier clubs.
In Barcelona, Smit has been on their radar for some time, especially after his impressive performances in the UEFA Youth League, where he stole the show with a stunning goal from midfield in a one-on-one against the Catalan giants.
He also won the Player of the Tournament award at the UEFA European Under-19 Championship last summer, after leading the Netherlands to victory over Spain in the final.
Real Madrid Enters the Race
Meanwhile, Real Madrid has received very positive reports about the player, as Florentino Pérez seeks a creative midfielder and a new playmaker, given the exorbitant prices of players like Enzo Fernández and Vitinha.
Smit’s market value is estimated at around €35 million, a very attractive figure compared to the current market rates, making him a strategic option for Los Blancos.
The player, for his part, is ready to leave the Dutch league and sees a move to the Spanish capital as the perfect challenge to further his career.
Mendes Moves Secretly… and Barcelona Out of the Picture
The Spanish newspaper Sport revealed that Jorge Mendes has already entered into advanced negotiations with Florentino Pérez, aiming to make Kees Smit one of Real Madrid’s first signings for the 2026-2027 season.
According to the report, Barcelona was unaware of these moves, despite the strong relationship between Laporta and Deco with the Portuguese agent. This caused a shock within the club and forced the Catalan management to withdraw from the deal and wait to see how things develop with their historic rivals.
One deal could ignite a new cold war between Barcelona and Real Madrid… and the final word will be with Mendes.
