Newcastle could swoop for a former Man Utd star this summer.placeholder image
Newcastle could swoop for a former Man Utd star this summer. | Getty Images
An Old Trafford former fans’ favourite is being targeted for a return to the Premier League.
Newcastle United have endured a mixed season under Eddie Howe and are in desperate need of some inspiration as the Magpies look to avoid missing out on European qualification for the second time in three years.
This campaign has had parallels with their 2023/24 season, where they competed in the Champions League for the first time in a generation but spent much of their Premier League campaign in mid-table, before a late surge saw them finish seventh and miss out on Europe courtesy of eighth-place Manchester United winning the FA Cup.
This term, as low as eighth could be enough to qualify for Europe, while the Toon reached the last 16 of the Champions League for the first time in their history with a 9-3 aggregate victory over Qarabag in their knockout play-off tie. News that Newcastle are set to compete with Man United for the signing of a former Red Devils star has broken – and could stun all those involved.
Newcastle join race with Man Utd for Scott McTominay
According to reports by Sportsboom, Newcastle are set to rival Man United in the pursuit of Napoli star Scott McTominay this summer. Crystal Palace are also thought to be in the conversation as the Premier League trio target the 27-year-old Scotland international.
McTominay came through the ranks at United’s Carrington academy before making 255 appearances for the club’s first team, scoring 29 goals. McTominay has taken his game to new heights since signing for Napoli in a £25.7m deal in 2024 and just 18 months on, his value his skyrocketed – with his transfer value to Napoli now between £60m-£70m according to the report.
The Magpies are said to have ‘gate-crashed’ United’s attempts to bring McTominay back to the club this summer, and have reportedly already made an enquiry for the Scotland star.
“Newcastle have asked the question and they’re seriously considering their options. They like what McTominay would bring,” a source told Sportsboom. “There’s definitely Premier League interest building. It wouldn’t take much for this to become a very competitive situation.”
Could McTominay be the answer to Newcastle’s midfield conundrum?
Newcastle’s midfield trio has been a key cornerstone of their great success under Howe and while Bruno Guimaraes, Sandro Tonali and Joelinton remain key players for the North East side, issues with the trio have begun to arise this season.
Guimaraes has spent much of the last couple of months out injured and the Toon have been forced to adapt without their captain, without whom they have never won a Premier League game since he signed for the club in 2022. Tonali, meanwhile, has been the subject of transfer interest from Man United, Arsenal, Liverpool and more, and it might prove a challenge to keep the Italian at St. James’ Park in the long-term.
McTominay is not only a highly capable No.8 with strong defensive qualities in the middle of the park, he has also displayed his ability to play further forward in recent seasons and has become a key goalscoring threat in Naples and for his national team. Hitting 13 goals in all competitions last term, he could offer a whole new dimension to the Newcastle midfield unit and elevate an already-strong area of the pitch for Howe’s men.
Palace’s name being mentioned in proceedings is interesting, as any bid exceeding the reported £60m would become the third time the Eagles have broken their transfer record in just a matter of months – following Brennan Johnson for £35m and Jorgen Strand Larsen for £48m, both in the January window – but with a true replacement for the influence of Eberechi Eze yet to be found, could McTominay be that man?
Man United’s interest in bringing their former academy graduate back to Old Trafford will likely continue to dominate headlines over McTominay’s future – while him signing a new contract at Napoli might still be the most likely outcome. But with Newcastle entering the race and possibly even Palace, the next step taken by the Scotsman after the World Cup this summer will be intriguing to see.
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