AZ Alkmaar, a privately owned entity headquartered in the Netherlands, was founded in 1967 and employs approximately 360 individuals. Functioning as a tier 1 media tech buyer, the organization operates as a Dutch professional football club from Alkmaar and the Zaan district, also known as Alkmaar Zaanstreek or simply AZ.
On March 11, Borussia Dortmund and Sporting Lisbon joined Aston Villa in the pursuit of AZ Alkmaar's 18-year-old talent, Bendeguz Kovacs, who has yet to make his senior debut but has shown strong performances at youth level. Previously, on February 26, Real Madrid reportedly tracked AZ Alkmaar midfielder Kees Smit for a potential summer transfer, with Premier League clubs also expressing interest following Newcastle United's failed bid for the player during the winter transfer window. Earlier, on February 18, reports indicated Liverpool led the race to sign the 20-year-old Smit, who has already accumulated over 50 senior appearances for AZ Alkmaar, contributing five goals and seven assists. This followed news from February 16 that Liverpool held strong interest in Smit, having tracked the Dutch midfielder, recognized as a promising Eredivisie talent, since his emergence from AZ Alkmaar's academy.
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