Real Madrid News
Journalist drops huge bombshell regarding Real Madrid target – ‘Could terminate contract for a few hundred thousand’
Real Madrid could be presented with an unexpected transfer opportunity involving Kees Smit, a midfielder who has been on their radar as part of their long-term rebuild.
Strengthening the midfield remains a clear priority for Madrid, with profiles like Enzo Fernandez and Rodri being monitored.
However, Smit continues to feature on their shortlist as a younger, high-potential option.
Earlier indications suggested that signing the AZ Alkmaar talent would require a major financial commitment.
Figures between €40 million and €45 million were already considered insufficient, with expectations that the final price could exceed €50 million.
That situation, however, may now be shifting.
What’s the story?
Dutch journalist Arno Vermeulen has highlighted a potential scenario where AZ’s negotiating position could backfire.
He warned that inflating the player’s valuation too much could lead to an unexpected outcome, explaining,
“Whether it’s €60 million, €50 million or €40million: if AZ set the price too high… they may end up having to settle for a lower figure,” he said (h/t SPORT).
He then delivered a warning regarding the risks involved, stating, “If AZ ask for too much money, Smit could leave for a few hundred thousand.”
The reasoning behind this possibility lies in recent legal developments in European football.
Vermeulen pointed to the impact of the so-called Diarra case, which has strengthened players’ rights in contractual disputes and opened the door for exits through arbitration.
“The European court has ruled. The focus is on the worker. If the player does not see his situation as viable, he can go to arbitration,” he explained.
This creates a scenario where Smit could potentially force his way out if an agreement is not reached, significantly lowering the transfer cost.
Vermeulen reinforced that possibility by explaining the extreme outcome.
“He could terminate his contract for a few hundred thousand and leave on a free transfer to clubs such as Manchester United, Manchester City, Real Madrid or Barcelona.”
For Real Madrid, this represents a major opportunity. Instead of committing a huge transfer fee, the club could wait and capitalise on the situation if tensions between the player and the club escalate.
Bernardo Silva was one of Real Madrid’s headline signings last summer. The Portuguese midfielder arrived on a free transfer from Manchester City and appeared destined to become the creative successor to Toni Kroos and Luka Modric in the middle of the park.
Indeed, with the club having not signed a new central midfielder, many within Real Madrid saw the veteran star as a solution to the issue.
Manager Jose Mourinho made him a starter from the very beginning in pre-season, but not in his usual role on the right. Instead, he deployed his compatriot as a deep-lying playmaker in the midfield double pivot.
A change in circumstances
Silva failed to have the expected influence when operating in a deeper role in midfield in the chances he got.
Combined with the emergence of Arda Guler and Aurelien Tchouameni’s return to fitness, the Portuguese international has now lost his place in the starting line-up and dropped to the bench.
Bernardo’s situation became particularly striking against Villarreal this past Saturday at the Santiago Bernabeu, when he did not play a single minute.
Limited opportunities under Mourinho
Bernardo has played six matches for Real Madrid, starting three and coming on as a substitute in another three.
He did not feature against Villarreal or Elche, while his only appearance in the last three matches was a little over 10 minutes against Atletico Madrid. He was not used regularly by the Portugal national team during the international break either.
Across Real Madrid’s eight La Liga fixtures, Silva has accumulated just 282 minutes of playing time.
The Champions League now presents another opportunity for the former Manchester City captain, who has yet to make his European debut for Real Madrid this season.
He missed the match against Inter Milan because he was still serving a suspension carried over from his time at the Etihad Stadium last season.
It remains to be seen whether Mourinho will give him an opportunity against AS Roma in the coming week.
For now, the midfielder’s reduced playing time suggests that the Portuguese coach has lost some of his faith in a player who arrived with high expectations after leaving Manchester City.
