While AZ Alkmaar\u2019s Kees Smit remains the most heralded talent in the Eredivisie, our sources suggest that Ajax star Sean Steur is now viewed by several top clubs as a potentially even better option, with Liverpool among his many elite suitors.<\/p>\n
With Smit expected to leave this summer \u2013 possibly for the Premier League \u2013 Steur could soon follow. The 18-year-old made his first-team debut last season and, after starting the campaign with Jong Ajax, has progressed to become a key part of the senior squad under interim boss Fred Grim.<\/p>\n
A ball-playing, two-footed holding midfielder, Steur has looked completely at ease in the first team despite having fewer than a dozen senior starts.<\/p>\n
Steur\u2019s performances have caused a stir across Europe. Eintracht Frankfurt held talks in January to try and strike a deal, but quickly realised his growing reputation may put him out of reach this summer.<\/p>\n
Interest is now surging from across the Channel, and TEAMtalk can reveal that Liverpool<\/a>, Arsenal, and Manchester United have all been watching Steur closely in recent weeks, with scouts attending multiple Ajax games.<\/p>\n All three English giants are in the market for a new holding midfielder this summer and are assessing whether Steur could be ready for the Premier League.<\/p>\n Arsenal have been exploring young options, including Lille\u2019s Ayyoub Bouaddi, but Steur\u2019s progress has made him a standout candidate. Liverpool and United, meanwhile, have Elliott Anderson, Carlos Baleba, and Adam Wharton on their radar, but Steur\u2019s name is now being discussed.<\/p>\n Want more breaking transfer lines from original sources? Add TEAMtalk as a preferred source on Google <\/a>to your favourites list for news you can trust.<\/p>\n Chelsea, Man City also in the mix for Ajax sensation<\/p>\n The interest doesn\u2019t stop there. BlueCo and City Group \u2013 whose senior clubs are Chelsea and Manchester City \u2013 have been tracking Steur for longer than most, and both Tottenham and Newcastle, huge admirers of Smit, have also checked on Ajax\u2019s midfield prodigy.<\/p>\n Ajax, for their part, are determined to keep Steur long-term. Some within the club believe he could be their best midfield prospect since Frenkie De Jong \u2013 a comparison that only adds to the excitement surrounding his future.<\/p>\n The teenager has made 30 appearances across all competitions for Ajax this season, notching two goals and four assists in the process.<\/p>\n While the campaign has been disappointing by Ajax\u2019s sky-high standards, Steur\u2019s performances and progression has undoubtedly been one of the huge positives.<\/p>\n Steur is contracted until 2028, so Ajax are in a strong negotiating position. But with so many top sides tracking the midfielder, it\u2019s hard to see him staying in Amsterdam for long.<\/p>\n Latest Liverpool news: Robertson race ignites \/ Van de Ven battle<\/p>\n Meanwhile, interest is heating up in Liverpool left-back Andy Robertson, who is set to become a free agent when his contract expires at the season\u2019s end.<\/p>\n As previously reported, Celtic are keen to bring Robertson back to Parkhead, but three Premier League clubs are interested in him<\/a> \u2013 though one of those stands effectively no chance of securing his signature.<\/p>\n