Napoli’s Scott McTominay ‘Open’ to Newcastle Transfer: Report

Newcastle United’s evolving transfer strategy and their renewed proximity to a potential Scott McTominay deal were outlined in Lee Ryder’s report for The Chronicle, which detailed club thinking at multiple levels in his column.

“Newcastle United would be pushing against an open door if they decide to renew interest in Scott McTominay,” Ryder wrote. “Sources close to McTominay have indicated that were the Magpies to make a move, he would be ‘open’ to signing for United and interested in working with Eddie Howe.”

McTominay, who left Manchester United for £25.7million to join Napoli, has since produced what Ryder described as “a glut of goals and a nomination for the Ballon d’Or.”

Any pursuit, however, “wouldn’t come cheap,” in Ryder’s words, with the midfielder under contract until 2028 and expected to cost “at least double the price Napoli paid Man United.”

Ryder reported that Newcastle’s recruitment direction has shifted following instructions from PIF, who “told Howe in the summer that the club would prefer to sign younger stars.”

The insider noted that while experienced players are not excluded — citing Yoane Wissa — it is “the ‘emerging talent’ bracket that Newcastle are focusing on now.” This approach has already led to increased scouting

“Steve Nickson was an interested spectator at the recent FIFA Under-17 World Cup and Newcastle have also sent talent spotters to Qatar for the ongoing Under-20 World Cup,” Ryder reported.

Nickson is now feeding reports directly to sporting director Ross Wilson as Newcastle seek to “get in ahead of some of their top five rivals in future windows,” per Ryder.

The report highlighted that PIF’s broader recruitment shift was triggered when Newcastle searched for Alexander Isak’s replacement, at which point options such as Wissa and Ollie Watkins were weighed.

According to Ryder, Howe “was told he could only sign one of the more senior stars,” reinforcing the new emphasis on youth, long-term value and development-driven targets.