Xabi Alonso has found the new Luka Modric for Real Madrid and it could be the signing of the summer

Real Madrid could be set to replace Luka Modric with a highly rated prospect ahead of the 2025/26 La Liga season.

Modric, 39, will bring his 13-year stay at Real Madrid to a close this summer upon the expiration of contract.

The former Spurs midfielder will continue playing, though, as he has reportedly verbally agreed to sign for Serie A giants AC Milan ahead of the 2025/26 campaign.

And despite Modric featuring sporadically during his last campaign at Los Blancos, replacing him will certainly not be an easy task.

But the club have reportedly identified a young Dutch midfielder as the heir to Modric’s throne in the Spanish capital and he's even previously been compared to the veteran due to his technical ability and eye for goal.

As reported by AS, Real Madrid have ‘stepped up’ their interest in AZ Alkmaar central midfielder Kees Smit, who was named UEFA European Under-19 Championship Player of the Tournament following the Netherlands’ 1-0 win over Spain on June 26.

Kees Smit won the Under-19 Euros with the Netherlands (Credit:Getty)

"I'm very proud," Smit told UEFA after picking up the award.

"I could not believe it when they said I was Player of the Tournament, but it's an amazing trophy and I want to give credit to my team for this as well, so thanks to them."

He added: "My confidence is very high. I want to score every game, and luckily it's happened.”

Smit, 19, came through the ranks at AZ Alkmaar before making his debut for the club in November 2024.

In 2024/25, Smit made 18 appearances for AZ as they finished fifth in the Eredivisie.

Kees Smit in action for AZ Alkmaar (Credit:Getty)

The teenager's contract at AZ is set to run until June 2028, but now may be a good time for Real to make a move for the attacking midfielder.

According to AS, “he loves Real Madrid and is swooning over the idea of ​​reaching the Bernabéu" but "there's no shortage of siren calls, Barcelona also has him on its agenda”.

As per Tribal, Dutch giants Ajax and PSV have also reportedly expressed interest in Smit, who will likely cost at least €25 million (£21.4m) if he is to make a move this summer.