Rafael van der Vaart, the former Tottenham and Real Madrid star, has labeled Manchester United-linked midfielder Kees Smit a ‘unique talent’, claiming he has the potential to become the new Frenkie de Jong. The 20-year-old enjoyed an eye-catching breakout season with AZ Alkmaar, establishing himself as one of the brightest young talents in Dutch football. His performances in the Eredivisie caught the attention of many, proving his worth on the field.

The young player continued his rise with a magnificent showing at last year’s European Under-19 Championship, helping the Netherlands win the title while finishing as the top scorer and claiming the Player of the Tournament award. On Friday evening, Smit made his senior international debut in the Netherlands’ 2-1 win over Norway, having been named in Ronald Koeman’s squad for the first time. There’s no doubt the youngster will be eager to strengthen his case for a spot in Koeman’s World Cup squad when the Netherlands return to action against Ecuador on Tuesday evening.

A report from The Athletic ahead of the January transfer window claimed Manchester United had been alerted to Smit’s talent, along with the likes of Barcelona, Newcastle and Borussia Dortmund. It’s understood AZ Alkmaar have responded by slapping a hefty €60million (£52m) price tag on their prized possession, bracing themselves for a possible bidding frenzy in the summer.

After Smit’s international debut against Norway, Van der Vaart told ESPN that the youngster’s overall display was far from perfect in certain areas. However, the former Tottenham and Real Madrid star is glad to see Smit given an opportunity and believes the midfielder has the potential to be a key player for his country going forward.

“I think it’s good that he’s included because he is a unique talent that you have to groom to let take over at some point,” Van der Vaart said. “You could clearly see that. He didn’t play a top game, but he made a fine debut. There are few players who have been included in the squad for the first time and have been included in the starting line-up immediately. We’ll see what happens. But he has the potential to become the new Frenkie de Jong.”

Van der Vaart backed Smit to grow in confidence once he gets more experience in the international arena. “I thought it was logical that he’s included,” he added. “I also know there has been a lot of criticism, but I think that once he gets used to things a bit, we’re going to get a lot of enjoyment out of him.”

Smit’s performances have also caught the attention of Rio Ferdinand, who encouraged United to explore a possible deal for the Dutchman in a video on his YouTube channel last month. “The are other midfielders in the market as well, a couple of young ones,” Ferdinand explained after discussing the pros and cons of United’s other two midfield targets, Elliot Anderson and Adam Wharton.

“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.” Smit’s current contract in Alkmaar runs through to June 2028.

Kees Smit’s future in professional football looks promising, with endorsements from figures like Rafael van der Vaart and Rio Ferdinand. His recent debut with the Dutch national team and his outstanding performance in the Eredivisie have sparked the interest of major clubs. Manchester United, among others, appears to be interested in securing his services.

With a contract in place until 2028, AZ Alkmaar has a strong negotiating position. However, the €60 million price tag could be a determining factor in his future. The coming months will be crucial in determining the fate of this 'unique talent'.