Rio Ferdinand thinks Liverpool summer transfer target should be signed by Man Utd instead

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Liverpool have plans to strengthen their midfield during the 2026 summer transfer window.

A recent report named Crystal Palace and England star Adam Wharton as the Reds’ dream target, with a potential price tag of £80m.

But Tottenham Hotspur’s Archie Gray and Kees Smit were also mentioned as options, and Rio Ferdinand now thinks Manchester United should go for the latter of that duo.

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Man Utd told to sign Kees Smit ahead of Liverpool

Smit has been linked with an Anfield switch for a while now, but Ferdinand has suggested he should be one of the names Man Utd target to replace Casemiro when he leaves for free in the summer.

Speaking on talkSPORT, he said: “There’s a kid called Kees Smit who I absolutely love. He’s at Alkmaar.

“Not many people listening probably know him, but go and check this kid out. AZ Alkmaar.

“He’s a Dutch kid, midfielder. 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 because I think you need to get two or three in that area.”

How Arne Slot viewed Kees Smit

Smit has been scouted by Real Madrid this season as well, showing the quality of player he could become.

He has made 46 appearances for AZ Alkmaar in 2025/26 to date, scoring five and assisting 10.

It’s a fantastic return for a midfielder and would certainly be an upgrade on Alexis Mac Allister this season.

Mac Allister could leave Liverpool along with Curtis Jones and Wataru Endo in the summer, meaning FSG will need to sanction moves for at least one or two midfielders in the coming months.

Slot previously worked with Smit at AZ when he was their manager, and the now 20-year-old was still a youngster.

The Liverpool coach was thought to have been ‘charmed’ by Smit’s ability at the time, and with the 47-year-old expected to remain at Anfield this summer, perhaps he will push for a reunion in England.