I still don’t know why they have to sell such a wonderful player – Napoli Boss on Scott McTominay
Seldom has the pulling power of the Premier League been more apparent than during the summer window of 2024.
And not just because Manchester United managed to convince Joshua Zirkzee and Leny Yoro to sign on the dotted line despite some very well-publicised interest from AC Milan and Real Madrid.
AFC Bournemouth convinced Dean Huijsen and Evanilson to leave Juventus and Porto for the South Coast. Brighton took Mats Wieffer and Matt O’Riley from Champions League sides Feyenoord and Celtic.
West Ham, meanwhile, managed to sweet talk Niclas Fullkrug, Carlos Soler and former United target Jean-Clair Todibo – who was blocked from joining by UEFA – into strengthening Julen Lopetegui’s squad.
So, after luring Scott McTominay away from English football and towards a fresh start in Serie A, Napoli were understandably keen to toast a job well done.
SSC Napoli unveil new signing Scott McTominay on August 30, 2024 in Naples, Italy.
Photo by SSC NAPOLI/SSC NAPOLI via Getty Images
Napoli delighted by Scott McTominay deal with Manchester United
“This was a somewhat complicated market,” Napoli’s sporting director Giovanni Manna tells Radio CRC, the uncertainty over the future of star striker Victor Osimhen clouding their off-season plans.
“We know it was somewhat spoiled by Osimhen’s situation and other exits. Thanks to the foresight of the president, we still managed to achieve our objectives.”
One of Napoli’s main ‘objectives’ was to bring in a strong, physically imposing midfielder with an eye for goal. Enter McTominay.
Signed in a £25 million deal from Man United – a bid the Red Devils felt compelled to accept due to the Scotland international’s contract situation and their own Profit and Sustainability pressures – Manna was initially a little taken aback by McTominay’s willingness to close that Premier League chapter despite the prospect of greater financial rewards at the likes of Fulham.
“First of all, I have to say that McTominay strongly wanted to come to Napoli. That was really satisfying,” a delighted Manna explains.
“If a player who plays in the Premier League for Manchester United chooses to come to Naples, we should all be proud.
“Initially, I didn’t think we could get to the point of closing (the deal) despite the contact that had been made with the agent at the start of the transfer window.
“Along the way, we continued to maintain these relationships until the moment we sat down with Manchester United and realised that the operation could be done.”
Scotland star could make full Serie A debut at Juventus
McTominay’s departure was something of a necessary evil, as far as United boss Erik ten Hag is concerned.
With 17 goals for club and country since the start of 2023/24, a player at the peak of his powers had proven invaluable time and again during a difficult second season at the helm for the Dutch boss.
Without his late goals against Brentford, Chelsea and Aston Villa, it’s tempting to wonder if Ten Hag would even be in a job today.
But this is the situation Ineos inherited when they took control of Man United from the Glazer family.
A club beset by financial failures of the past, and needing to make compromises in order to progress. It was McTominay’s sale – representing 100 per cent ‘pure profit’ in Financial Fair Play terms – which freed up the funds for United to sign Manuel Ugarte on a permanent basis from Paris Saint-Germain on deadline day.
Ugarte, after impressing in the 7-0 Carabao Cup hammering of Barnsley, could make his full Premier League debut at Crystal Palace on Saturday.
McTominay is also in line for a first start of his own. Napoli face potential title rivals Juventus with their ‘stratospheric’ new signing ready to make his mark after impressing Antonio Conte on the training pitch this week.
“The more time passes, the more they fit into our idea,” former Tottenham, Chelsea and Italy boss Conte tells Tuttomercatoweb of McTominay and fellow new recruit Billy Gilmour.
“(We have had) ten days with Billy and Scott. It was positive. They are understanding the idea of football we want to play. They adapt to the type of work also from a physical, metabolic, and strength point of view, and what the coach asks for.
“I’m happy because they are receptive and can give us a good contribution.”
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