West Ham United have been slow to reinvest the funds gained from the huge £105 sale of Declan Rice to Arsenal. However a number of new deals are in the pipeline including one for Manchester United’s Scott McTominay. The midfielder would most likely take Rice’s role in the side and would have big boots to fill should he move to London. However, the two clubs are yet to agree on a fee which begs the question, how much is Scott McTominay worth?
The Scottish international is certainly a player who divides opinion. For some United fans, he’s a player whose regular presence in the side has highlighted the decline of the club in recent years, but unquestionably McTominay has many positive attributes too which explains why there is interest from other Premier League clubs.
The most concrete interest appears to come from West Ham who will be well aware that they are not going to find a player as good as Declan Rice to replace him. However in terms of market options, certainly those with Premier League experience, there may not be any better options than McTominay. His work rate and ability to occupy a defensive midfield role, whilst also getting into advanced positions at times, makes him a good potential fit for David Moyes’ West Ham.
Scott McTominay Market Value
🗞️💰 West Ham will have to pay £85m to sign Harry Maguire and Scott McTominay in a double deal. #mufc [@SkyKaveh] pic.twitter.com/gDgF57HXFi
— UtdXclusive (@UtdXclusive) August 8, 2023
At 26 years old and with two years to run on his present deal, there is no immediate pressure on Manchester United to sell Scott McTominay. His current market value is perhaps somewhere in the region of £25-30m but with many seemingly inflated transfer fees this summer, United are believed to be holding out for something closer to £40m.
That suggests they are not desperate to offload McTominay who has been part of United’s youth set-up since the age of five, making his Premier League debut in the 2016/17 season. However Erik ten Hag may prefer a different type of midfielder as he continues to structure his squad for the upcoming campaign and the departure of McTominay would raise funds and open the door to the possibility of Sofyan Amrabat joining from Fiorentina.
As well as McTominay, West Ham are also interested in signing Harry Maguire from Manchester United with the London club initially reported as having made a bid of more than £50m for the pair. It’s possible that negotiations for the two men will ultimately become separate deals given there are potential stumbling blocks with McTominay and Maguire yet to confirm their desire to move to the London Stadium.
Manchester United’s hesitancy to sell, may also be driven by the knowledge that other Premier League clubs could be drawn into this fight which would potentially push West Ham closer to their asking price.
How much is Scott McTominay worth to West Ham?
Manchester United rejected £30m bid from West Ham for Scott McTominay. Up to West Ham whether they want to bid again or move on. 🚨🔴 #MUFC
Negotiations for Harry Maguire remain ongoing but not at advanced stages yet. pic.twitter.com/ds8FNo7kf7
— Fabrizio Romano (@FabrizioRomano) August 7, 2023
West Ham United have been in a slightly awkward position this summer given everyone knew they were going to receive a huge fee for Declan Rice, with the England man’s departure widely anticipated even before he lifted the UEFA Europa Conference League trophy in early June. They’ve understandably been unwilling to pay way over the odds for players, but their inability to make a single signing makes their squad feel very bare in some areas just days before they kick off their new Premier League campaign away to Bournemouth.
The signing of Edson Alvarez is now imminent and would bolster their midfield options. However they will still need fresh additions in that area of the pitch with 24 year old Flynn Downes, who made just 7 Premier League starts last season, potentially the best option to take Rice’s role in the side this weekend.
With Europa League football also on the horizon, Scott McTominay’s experience and qualities are clearly highly desirable for West Ham. From the player’s perspective, his role as a regular starter for David Moyes looks almost guaranteed, something that certainly wouldn’t be the case at Old Trafford.
West Ham may proceed to negotiate the Maguire and McTominay deals separately with a £30m bid already reportedly rejected for the latter. With funds available, West Ham may ultimately have to bite the bullet and accept the need to pay slightly over the market value for a player who would have a major role to play this term and would help the club finally start to move on from the loss of Rice.
