Everton have been linked to Scott McTominay for several years now.
Everton News columnist Alan Myers Q&A session on TalkingPoints.
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Sean Dyche tried to sign McTominay during his time in charge of the Toffees, while David Moyes has also spoken highly of the Scotland international in recent times after he rose to stardom at Napoli.
The Napoli No.8 recorded 18 goal involvements in 34 Serie A appearances last season to help Antonio Conte win the title.
Everton will therefore find it tough to sign Scott McTominay nowadays – but a report from CalcioNapoli24 suggests the Toffees are ignoring a player with similar attributes in Nathan Patterson.
Deadline day is now done… what’s your thoughts, Toffees? 😬
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What Napoli think of Nathan Patterson as deadline day move considered
The Italian news outlet believe Napoli strongly considered a move for the Everton No.2 on deadline day, but eventually had no need for the right-back after learning that an injury to Giovanni di Lorenzo was not as bad as first feared.
However, CalcioNapoli24 add that Patterson “stood out” to Napoli due to “his athleticism and his drive” – which those in Naples valued over the fact he has barely played this season.
Moyes has handed the Glaswegian just three Premier League starts this term.
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It evokes similar feelings to when Napoli opted to splash £25m on McTominay back in August 2024 despite the fact he was out of favour at Manchester United – with the Italian giants sensing an opportunity to turn the Scotland international into a superstar.
That is exactly what has happened to the 29-year-old in Naples, so the fact Napoli see similar talent in Patterson should act as a warning to Moyes that he may well be ignoring a potentially superb player.
David Moyes might be ready to trust Nathan Patterson at Everton
There was an interesting development on deadline day as Genoa explored a deal for Patterson.
The Serie A side were preparing themselves in case they lost Brooke Norton-Cuffy, but Everton decided to stand firm and say that the Rangers academy graduate was not for sale.
Could Nathan Patterson have offered Everton more from right-back than Jake O’Brien? 🤔
An overview of Nathan Patterson's career at Everton.
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It suggests Moyes could be more open to handing Patterson chances to shine in the second half of the season, or else it feels pretty cruel to have denied him the chance to play regularly elsewhere.
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