Ben Jacobs has claimed that Newcastle United have been in contact with Scott McTominay and his people over a potential move.
It’s no secret that Newcastle and Eddie Howe are looking to recruit a new midfielder this month amid a sheer lack of depth as they head into a Carabao Cup semi-final and a huge second half of the season push for the top four.
Howe has been able to call upon and rely on a core group of players to get the Magpies to 3rd in the Premier League but as the games continue to come thick and fast and Howe’s style of pressing catches up on his players, some may begin to fatigue and pick up strains.
This is especially true for his centre midfielders of Sean Longstaff, Joe Willock, Joelinton and Bruno Guimaraes, who are starting almost every game possible, so links to Manchester United’s McTominay shouldn’t be too surprising.
Jacobs has admitted on The Done Deal Show Man United don’t wish to sell the Scotland international – but that hasn’t dwindled Newcastle’s interest in the 26-year-old academy graduate.
He said: “I still think that Scott McTominay is one to watch. Manchester United’s position is very clear, though – that they don’t want to let him go – but Newcastle, who haven’t been busy in this January window, are still exploring that situation, at least on the player’s side.
Would McTominay start for Newcastle?
Yes!
No!
“It’s going to be very difficult, though, to persuade Manchester United – but you can understand from McTominay’s perspective since Casemiro has come in and been world-class why he might want a little bit more game time.”
TIF Thoughts on interest in McTominay…
While some may see the link as nothing exciting, McTominay actually compares quite similarly to Longstaff who Eddie Howe appears to trust wholeheartedly starting him in all but three league games this season.
Both Longstaff and McTominay have a very similar short pass completion percentage so they can keep the ball moving very well in midfield and they also have the same ability defensively having won 11 and 12 tackles respectively (FBref).
Therefore, while McTominay wouldn’t necessarily be a headline signing like Youri Tielemans or Moises Caicedo may well be on Tyneside, if he came in and did a job for the Magpies it could be regarded as a low-key great piece of business, much like Dan Burn was last January and if he could be a ‘nightmare to play against‘ as he has been for Man United, he’d fit in nicely.