Chelsea are clearly ahead of Newcastle United in the battle for the signing of Dutch AZ player Kees Smit.

The 19-year-old playmaker, who was already dubbed the Dutch Pedri in the Fatherland, is valued at approximately 25 million pounds sterling. The Stamford Bridge club sees Smith as part of its long-term strategy to attract young talent with high potential.

Newcastle, which has followed the progress of the Grave since the last season of the Eredivisie, is gradually losing positions in the negotiations. At St. James's Park they are afraid that the delayed transfer before the summer could provoke an “auction”, which would drive up the price beyond their capabilities, especially the insurance interests on the side of such giants as Manchester United, Tottenham, Barcelona and.

Smith has become a vital sign for this season, dictating the pace of play and demonstrating maturity beyond fate. His speech prompted the head coach of the Netherlands national team, Ronald Koeman, to equate the youngster with the star of Barcelona:.

" Changing straight to the ruin, grabbing both feet, tanking the field - I noted all this at Pedri’s in my time,” said the mentor.

Although Chelsea does not plan large-scale activity on the transfer market in Sichny, work on Smyth’s transfer is being carried out for the future.

If it happens, the Dutchman will replenish the Blues' already overstuffed pool of young talents, where he will have to face fierce competition for the place, based on the leadership of Enzo Mareschi.