After 22 years on the books at Manchester United, a Scott McTominay Napoli transfer fee has been agreed.
McTominay has been a consistent and reliable servant to the Red Devils, scoring 29 goals from 255 midfield appearances.
He will enjoy a fresh start under Antonio Conte at Napoli.
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Why do Napoli want McTominay?
McTominay is a powerful midfielder, with an engine that allows him to get up and down the pitch all game long.
The 27-year-old is a force in both boxes, able to make crucial defensive interventions in his own box, or crash into the opposition penalty area and score goals.
Last season, McTominay struggled for regular starts at Old Trafford, but made a huge impact from the bench. Only Bruno Fernandes and Rasmus Hojlund scored more than the Scotsman’s seven Premier League goals.
He had a penchant for big moments too. He scored in the FA Cup quarter and semi-finals, bagged a brace against Chelsea, and turned a 0-1 into a 2-1 in the space of four minutes against Brentford.
Antonio Conte is fond of powerful box-to-box presences in his midfield. At Juventus, he had Arturo Vidal and Claudio Marchisio, at Chelsea he had N’Golo Kante, and at Inter he reunited with Vidal.
McTominay will offer a hard-running foil to the creative pairing of Stanislav Lobotka and Andre-Frank Zambo Anguissa, and the instant impact and experience that Conte so often demands of his signings.
Scott McTominay Napoli transfer fee: is it a good deal?
This seems a good deal for all concerned. Conte gets the kind of midfielder he loves, at a price that is palatable to Napoli, even with the club being outside of European competition.
McTominay gets a fresh start away from Old Trafford, where he will play more consistently in a clearly defined role that suits his game rather than being a midfield utility man.
And for Manchester United, though they lose a player that has been a consistent performer for them, the fee they get can be booked as pure profit, due to McTominay’s status as an academy product.
The 27-year-old’s departure will also free up both funds and space in the squad to sign a new player.
What’s next at United?
McTominay’s departure appears to have the domino effect in motion at Old Trafford. The Red Devils are now looking to further strengthen in midfield, with a move for Manuel Ugarte looking to be back on the cards.
