Kees Smit: The stats that suggest talented Newcastle target can replace Sandro Tonali as interest rekindled

Newcastle United have reportedly rekindled their interest in AZ Alkmaar midfielder Kees Smit this summer.

Smit, 20, was the subject of significant interest from the Magpies in January, but a move never materialised.

However, with Sandro Tonali now set to be on the way out, decision-makers are back in the market for a replacement in the coming weeks.

Smit was a regular for AZ last season and has already made his debut for the Netherlands, but was left at home for the World Cup.

The Dutch club reportedly value their midfielder at over £60million, with several huge clubs having been tracking him.

With Anthony Gordon having already completed a £69m move to Barcelona and with Tonali likely to leave for a fee in the region of £100m, Newcastle do not appear to be short on cash.

MAJOR BREAKING - #NUFC have rekindled their long-standing interest in 20-year-old AZ Alkmaar midfielder Kees Smit, as per @MailSport

United hope they can tempt the Dutchman to Tyneside with the prospect of regular first-team football.

Smit is valued at OVER £60m. pic.twitter.com/eAeHn9qYwn

Smit's breakthrough came last season, when he made 18 appearances in the Eredivisie and scored his first goal in the Europa League.

But this season, he has taken on new importance for AZ and has emerged among the most exciting young midfielders in Europe.

An incredibly active box-to-box midfielder, the 20-year-old scored five goals and provided nine assists across all competitions.

Similarly to Tonali, Smit uses his bulky frame to keep the ball close and secure, dribbling away from intense pressing.

Of course, the Italian has five years on his potential replacement and is playing in a far more difficult league, but it is possible to draw a comparison between

The Dutchman currently plays in a far more attacking role than the Newcastle man, taking 1.01 shots per 90 and producing 0.20 expected assists to Tonali's 0.67 and 0.10.

Kees Smit - KDB Regen pic.twitter.com/fgB0EcBis7

Smit also completes more successful dribbles and more tackles, although Tonali certainly shows his worth on a defensive basis.

The 26-year-old completes more blocks (0.64 to 0.59), more clearances (1.31 to 0.76) and more interceptions (1.10 to 0.63).

Yet the numbers suggest that Smit is far from a long way off, and could even surpass Tonali in the coming years.

It was only three years ago, but the market that saw Newcastle sign Tonali from AC Milan for £55m simply no longer exists.

With the likes of former Magpie Elliot Anderson set to join Manchester City for £130m, it is no longer viable to sign Premier League-ready midfielders for reasonable fees.

Manchester City are confident to get Elliot Anderson deal done, now at the final stages after work behind the scenes.

New round of talks to take place for the English midfielder who would undergo medical in the US before joining #MCFC if all goes to plan. pic.twitter.com/MZBZK43vVf

The only solution appears to be to buy the players one stage behind that readiness.

On paper, Smit looks to be a great example of exactly that, and his signing could be a sign of a new strategy at St James' Park.