Dutch football journalist Arno Vermeulen, speaking on the Studio Voetbal programme, raised the possibility that Smit could simply terminate his contract if AZ set an unrealistic fee.
"Whether it's sixty, fifty or forty million — if AZ put a figure that's too high, they could end up finding a solution," Vermeulen said.
"He could rescind his contract for a few hundred thousand and leave freely to clubs like Manchester United, Manchester City, Real Madrid or Barcelona."
AZ are understood to be seeking upwards of €60 million for a player under contract until 2028, with some in the Netherlands suggesting the fee could rise to €75 million if a bidding war develops. The club have reportedly handed super-agent Jorge Mendes a mandate to negotiate with Europe's elite.
Smit himself has already acknowledged that a departure is likely. "I don't think I'm going to stay," he said recently, adding that game time at a higher level is his priority.
The comparisons that have followed him are flattering. Netherlands manager Ronald Koeman drew a direct line to Barcelona midfielder Pedri when discussing the Heiloo-born midfielder. "I have to be careful what I say, but I coached Pedri at Barcelona and I see things of him in Kees Smit," Koeman said.
Smit has scored three goals and contributed five assists in 31 appearances for AZ this season, helping the club reach the Europa Conference League quarter-finals. His preference, he has made clear, is La Liga. "As a kid I watched a lot of La Liga. I really liked watching Barcelona. I grew up watching Iniesta and Messi."
Whether AZ can extract the fee they want remains the central question. Vermeulen's warning is pointed — a player with this much leverage and this many suitors holds the cards, and the club knows it.