Manchester United are reportedly expected to retain West Ham United target Scott McTominay this summer.
A report from Claret and Hugh has suggested that claims about Manchester United and Scotland midfielder Scott McTominay being set for a move to West Ham United appear to be speculative. While West Ham showed serious interest in McTominay under former manager David Moyes, it seems that interest waned following Moyes’s departure. This was confirmed by a club insider, who was involved in last season’s negotiations.
The notion that the Hammers are currently competing with several Turkish clubs for McTominay’s signature seems peculiar. Midfield is reportedly not a priority for West Ham in this transfer window, even though their serious bid for Aleix Garcia indicates some level of interest in strengthening that area.
Financial hurdles a concern
One significant barrier to any potential move is McTominay’s valuation. Manchester United’s £40 million price tag for the 27-year-old midfielder is deemed prohibitive for West Ham. A source from within West Ham confirmed that it is unlikely Manchester United would sell McTominay, describing him as a “good player.”
West Ham already have considerable depth in midfield, with James Ward-Prowse, Tomas Soucek, Edson Alvarez, Flynn Downes, Freddie Potts, and Lewis Orford on their roster. For the club to bring in another midfielder, they would likely need to offload at least two players from their current squad to maintain balance and manage financial constraints.
Different priorities
With midfield not being the top priority for West Ham this transfer window, the focus may lie elsewhere. The club’s interest in Aleix Garcia shows that while they are open to bolstering their midfield, they are not desperate to do so, especially given their existing depth in that area.
While McTominay is a talented and valuable player, the financial and strategic considerations make his move to West Ham unlikely at this time. The club’s current priorities and the depth of their midfield suggest that their resources might be better allocated elsewhere. For Manchester United, holding onto a reliable squad player like McTominay seems a prudent move, especially if the financial return from his sale does not align with their valuation.
