According to The Times, Newcastle recently made contact with Manchester United over a deal for Scott McTominay.
What’s the story?
Well, The Times believe Newcastle asked the Red Devils about the £73,000-a-week man’s availability earlier in the summer transfer window, while another unnamed Premier League club did the same.
However, it is said that Erik ten Hag rates the Scotland international highly, and will resist any offers.
The Dutchman sees McTominay as a pivotal part of his plans at Old Trafford, while the midfielder himself is also keen to stay at Manchester United.
As things stand, the 25-year-old has three years remaining on his contract, so it would require a sizeable offer to convince Ten Hag to change his mind.
Additionally, Paul Pogba, Jesse Lingard, Juan Mata and Nemanja Matic have left Old Trafford, so the central midfield department is very thin at the moment – Ten Hag only has Fred and Donny van de Beek, as well as the Scot.
In 37 appearances last season, McTominay scored two goals while also providing one assist.
Manchester United are also closing in on a deal for Frenkie de Jong to bolster their midfield options.
Newcastle can do better than Scott McTominay
In our view, the Magpies can find someone better than McTominay – just look at what happened in January.
With relegation seeming more likely than survival, Eddie Howe still managed to sign Bruno Guimaraes, who, with all due respect, is twice the player McTominay is.
Therefore, with survival now secured, Newcastle should be able to attract more players like the Brazilian, such as his pal Lucas Paqueta – the South American is said to be a target for Howe.
McTominay would still be a decent signing, but given the fact Manchester United have no intention of selling, and he also wants to stay, Howe would be wasting his time if he continued pursuing a deal.
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