McTominay left Manchester United nearly two years ago but one Premier League manager has revealed things could have been very different
14:58, 29 Mar 2026
View 2 Images
Scott McTominay(Image: Getty Images)
Sean Dyche has revealed he came within a whisker of signing Napoli star Scott McTominay during his two-year stint as Everton boss.
And he reckons that landing the Scotland hero would have gone a long way in transforming his fortunes on Merseyside.
The ex Watford and Burnley manager took over a relegation-threatened Toffees side in January 2023, and kept them in the Premier League on the final day of the season. He was able to build on that finish in the following campaign, scoring a first home derby win against Liverpool for 14 years to help them climb up to 15th in the league standings.
However, Dyche lost his job the following January after a dismal run of three wins in 19 league matches left Everton sitting a point above the drop zone.
Despite helping Manchester United lift the FA Cup, McTominay was sold to Serie A side Napoli in the summer for £25.7 million, with the Old Trafford giants happy to cash in on their homegrown star. The midfielder immediately demonstrated that they had made a huge mistake, netting 12 league goals to help inspire Antonio Conte's men to their second Scudetto in three years and just their fourth overall.
Earlier this season, McTominay's efforts were rewarded with a Ballon d'Or nomination, and just over two months later he was part of the Scotland team that successfully qualified for next summer's World Cup finals for the first time in 28 years.
But according to Dyche, the 29-year-old almost made the short trip down the East Lancs Road to Everton instead of jetting off to the south of Italy. Speaking on talkSPORT, he said: "When I was at Everton, I was very close to getting McTominay, do you know that?
"Very close, I couldn't believe I missed out on him. I couldn't believe it. I think his agent said he was on for it and everything. There was a deal [for McTominay].
"I'm not gonna name, there was a player who's going the other way, and all that business, and I couldn't get it over the line. I reckon that could have changed everything for me."
Dyche - who now manages Nottingham Forest - added: "What a player - I couldn't believe he wasn't playing at Man U. I couldn't get my head around [the fact that] he wasn't playing. I couldn't believe it."
View 2 Images
Sean Dyche(Image: AFP via Getty Images)
Reports in Italy claim that Napoli are preparing to offer McTominay a bumper new contract, with his current deal up in the summer of 2028.
The Tartan Army favourite is said to have suitors in the Saudi Pro League but transfer guru Fabrizio Romano reports that the player is fully focused on ensuring Napoli qualify for the Champions League next season.
Follow Record Sport on Twitter, Facebook and Instagram for all of the up-to-the minute breaking news, video and audio on the SPFL, the Scotland national team and beyond.
Tune in to Hotline Live every Sunday to Thursday and have your say on the biggest issues in Scottish football and listen to Record Sport's newest podcast, Game On, every Friday for your sporting fix, all in bitesize chunks.
Article continues below
Get more Daily Record exclusives by signing up for free to Google’s preferred sources. Click HERE.