Opinion

Scott McTominay’s stance on Newcastle United transfer has surely intrigued Eddie Howe

Add as preferred source on Google

Scott McTominay could be interested in a move to Newcastle United – and Eddie Howe surely feels similarly.

The January transfer window is moving closer, and Newcastle United may look to strike incoming deals.

A new midfielder may be on the radar, even if Newcastle are relaxed on Sandro Tonali’s future.

Conor Gallagher could be on Newcastle’s wish list, but Napoli’s Scott McTominay has become a name of interest.

Reports suggest that McTominay would be interested in joining Newcastle if Eddie Howe made a move for his signature.

Newcastle United’s spending power ahead of the January transfer window. Do you expect PIF to actually make a signing?

Premier League PSR isn’t an immediate concern for Newcastle in January. With UEFA’s equivalent rules, they should be absolutely fine too. If they thought there was good value in the market and wanted to spend £100m-plus, they could do.

Football finance expert Adam Williams, speaking to Geordie Boot Boys.

Eddie Howe surely feels the same way about Scott McTominay to Newcastle United

McTominay left Manchester United in 2024, completing a move to Napoli as he embarked on an Italian adventure.

The move has been a quite remarkable success, as McTominay fired Napoli to the Serie A title last season.

McTominay racked up 12 goals and four assists for Napoli last season, and his success has continued this term.

Last week, McTominay executed a stunning bicycle kick to take Scotland to their first World Cup since 1998.

Now seemingly interested in a move to Newcastle, McTominay is a fascinating proposition for 2026 – and Eddie Howe is surely keen.

Scott McTominay of SSC Napoli celebrates with team mates at the end of the Serie A football match between SSC Napoli and Cagliari Calcio
Photo by Elianton/Mondadori Portfolio via Getty Images

As noted by The Athletic, Howe wanted to bring McTominay to Newcastle in 2023, believing that he would offer something different in midfield.

Howe was attracted to McTominay’s athleticism as well as his ability to turn defence into attack.

Since that interest almost three years ago, McTominay has taken his game to a new level with Napoli and has become one of the finest goalscoring midfielders around.

If Howe wanted to sign McTominay back in 2023, then he would surely still be keen after seeing the Scot make an enormous leap in his career.

Napoli surely won’t sell on the cheap, but if McTominay really is keen on joining Newcastle, then Howe will surely reciprocate that interest.

Newcastle United’s top ten biggest signings ever

Nick Woltemade – £69million

Alexander Isak – £63million

Sandro Tonali – £55million

Anthony Elanga – £55million

Yoane Wissa – £55million

Anthony Gordon – £45million

Jacob Ramsey – £43million

Bruno Guimaraes – £41.5million

Joelinton – £40million

Harvey Barnes – £39million

Newcastle should be wary of overspending on Scott McTominay

If you look at Newcastle’s four major summer signings, the average age is just 23.5.

Anthony Elanga, Malick Thiaw, Jacob Ramsey and Nick Woltemade were all signed with the future in mind.

McTominay will be 29 by the time Newcastle even have a chance to sign him, as his birthday comes early in December.

Perhaps Newcastle feel that signing the finished product is needed after prioritising younger players over the summer.

This is something we don’t often see from Newcastle, though, and the Magpies need to be wary in terms of the money being offered here.

Newcastle may be reluctant to spend big money on a player with limited resale value, so much will depend on just how much Howe wants the former Manchester United ace.