Liverpool could be hijacking another Newcastle deal after what club insiders have been saying

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Liverpool and Newcastle have been inextricably linked during recent transfer windows, with the Reds beating them to at least two key targets.

Newcastle wanted to sign Hugo Ekitike last summer, and were convinced that they had a deal lined up before Liverpool swooped in to poach the Frenchman away.

The same thing happened earlier this month, with the Magpies ready to seal a move for Victor Munoz, only to see a last-minute effort from Anfield persuade him to join the Reds instead.

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Throw in last summer’s Alexander Isak saga, and Dominik Szoboszlai’s decision to turn Newcastle down in 2023, and it is safe to say that everyone connected to the Toon will be downright sick of seeing Liverpool muscle in on their targets.

Now, it looks as though Newcastle are already giving up on interest in AZ Alkmaar midfielder Kees Smit, predicting that the Dutchman is instead heading for a bigger club. After Liverpool were linked with Smit once again this week, he could well be on his way to Anfield as well.

Newcastle insiders convinced Kees Smit is heading elsewhere

Liverpool fans have been debating whether the Reds should sign Smit or Ayyoub Bouaddi to strengthen their midfield, with the Dutch midfielder a clear candidate to arrive.

Newcastle have long been linked with Smit as well, but according to The Athletic, the Magpies do not believe a deal is on the cards.

READ MORE: Why signing Felix Nmecha would not improve Liverpool’s midfield as Reds ponder Dortmund raid

Inside sources at St James’ Park are said to have been ‘bemused’ by links re-emerging to the 20-year-old, having decided last winter that they would not be able to sign him.

Instead, they have reportedly been ‘convinced’ over the last few months that Smit is destined to move to an ‘elite European club’ when he leaves AZ.

Smit could be heading for Liverpool

On paper, Smit does look like the kind of player Liverpool could go for to boost their midfield options this summer.

At 20, he would not instantly command a regular place in the starting XI, which is not immediately necessary, but could still develop into a real star in the coming years.

The fee would be big – a reported 60 million Euros – but not prohibitive to Liverpool, and Smit could easily be worth significantly more than that in a season or two.

Liverpool have made a habit of latching onto Newcastle’s transfer targets and snatching them away in the past few years, and it should not be a surprise to anybody if they now do exactly the same again.