Manchester United Lead Race as Scott McTominay Eyes Premier League Return

‎Reports from Italy suggest that Manchester United are currently the frontrunners in any potential deal involving Scott McTominay. The Scotland international is said to be eager to return to the Premier League at some stage, with 2026 emerging as a possible timeline.

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‎Manchester United reportedly head the race to sign Scott McTominay, as the Napoli midfielder considers a dream move back to the Premier League in 2026 after record-breaking success in Italy.

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‎The 29-year-old has performed impressively in Italy while playing for Napoli, winners of the Serie A title. Despite his success there, the midfielder remains open to returning to English football in the future.

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‎McTominay joined the Naples side in summer 2024 for £32 million ($44m). His debut campaign delivered immediate success as he helped secure the league title while also collecting MVP recognition, marking a historic season.

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‎During that campaign, he surpassed the long-standing scoring record set by Denis Law for most goals by a Scottish player in a single Serie A season. He also earned a major individual award nomination and was crowned Italy’s Player of the Year.

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‎This season, he has already scored double-digit goals while maintaining strong performances. His current contract runs until 2028, but interest from other clubs is expected to grow once the next transfer window opens.

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‎Napoli acknowledge the growing interest. The club’s global business development officer, Leonardo Giammarioli, told talkSPORT that keeping players when big offers arrive can be difficult. He explained that while the club values McTominay, they would support him reaching a higher level in future years if the opportunity appears.

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‎Giammarioli referenced a recent situation involving VfB Stuttgart and Newcastle United, highlighting how financial strength often influences transfers, especially as Italian football struggles with revenue challenges.

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‎According to Tuttomercatoweb, McTominay is considering a move in 2026. He and partner Cam Reading are reportedly weighing up a return home, with the midfielder keen to rejoin the English top flight sooner rather than later.

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‎The report states that while he is happy in Naples, a future return to England remains a dream. Among clubs linked with bringing him back, United are believed to be leading the race.

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‎United allowed McTominay to leave after he made 255 appearances following his development through their academy system. However, questions remain over whether a return is financially realistic.

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‎Former United defender Wes Brown told GOAL that signing him back would be costly. Brown praised McTominay’s development since leaving, saying he has improved even further and delivered outstanding performances abroad.

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‎Brown added that although a return seems unlikely, he understands why transfer speculation exists. He praised McTominay’s athleticism and attacking positioning, noting he is not best suited to a holding midfield role despite common perception.

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‎A return to Old Trafford cannot be ruled out entirely, but financial factors may play a major role.

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‎Meanwhile, United are preparing for midfield changes as Casemiro is expected to leave via free agency. There are also questions about how long captain Bruno Fernandes will remain central to long-term plans.

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‎The club has also been linked with targets such as Nottingham Forest star Elliott Anderson and Crystal Palace playmaker Adam Wharton. However, McTominay could become the priority target if Napoli open the door to a transfer.