Man United are leading the race to re-sign Scott McTominay this summer, with the club desperate to bring the Scottish midfielder back to Old Trafford after his standout performances in Italy. The story broke quietly at first, but it’s picked up serious steam in the last 48 hours.
Sources close to the negotiations say United have made their interest crystal clear to Napoli, and they’re willing to talk big numbers to make it happen. McTominay left Manchester for the Italian side back in the summer of 2024 for a relatively modest £25 million.
Now, less than two years later, the price tag has ballooned to around €80 million – that’s roughly £67 million in today’s money. Napoli aren’t messing about. Insiders say the Italian club has told United straight: pay up or forget it.
It’s easy to see why the Red Devils want him back. McTominay has been a revelation at Napoli. He’s slotted into their midfield like he was born for Serie A, scoring important goals, winning tackles, and adding that box-to-box energy that made him a fan favourite at United in the first place.
One standout moment came in a big Champions League night when he netted a late winner that had the Stadio Diego Armando Maradona rocking. Fans there started calling him “Il Guerriero” – the warrior – and it’s stuck.
He’s started most games, bossed the engine room, and helped Napoli push for the title. At 29 now, he’s in his prime, and that experience in a different league has clearly sharpened him up.
United’s midfield has looked shaky at times this season. Injuries, form dips, and the need for more leadership in the middle have left gaps. Bringing McTominay home would tick a lot of boxes. He’s a homegrown talent, knows the club inside out, and wouldn’t need time to settle.
The connection with the fans is still strong too – remember those late goals he scored against Liverpool and Arsenal? Supporters on social media are already buzzing at the idea. One popular United account posted a throwback clip of him celebrating at Old Trafford with the caption “Come home, Scotty.” It got thousands of likes in minutes.
The money side is the tricky bit. Selling him for £25 million felt like good business at the time, but now paying triple that stings a bit. Still, in today’s market, €80 million for a proven performer isn’t outrageous.
United have cash from player sales and sponsorship deals, and with the new ownership structure, they’re more open to big swings. Talks are at an early stage, but people in the know say the club sees this as a priority. If they can get it over the line, it would be one of those rare “buy low, sell high, buy back” stories that rarely happen in football.
McTominay himself hasn’t said a word publicly, but those who know him say he’s happy in Naples. The lifestyle suits him, the fans love him, and the football is intense.
Yet the pull of United is real. He came through the academy there, made over 200 appearances, and always spoke about the club with real affection. A return could feel like unfinished business, especially if the team needs a leader in the trenches.
For Napoli, it’s a tough call. They signed him as a gamble and he’s delivered big time. Letting him go for €80 million would be a nice profit, but losing his presence in the squad could hurt their title push. The club has already started sounding out replacements, just in case, but nothing’s set in stone.
United fans are split on the price. Some say it’s too much for a player they let go cheaply. Others argue it’s worth it for the mentality he brings. “He’s not flashy, but he gets the job done,” one supporter said on a podcast.
“We need that right now.” Pundits like Roy Keane have praised his work rate in Italy, saying he’d slot straight back into the Premier League without missing a beat.
The summer window is still a way off, but this one feels like it’s building. If United do pull the trigger, it could be the start of a proper rebuild in midfield.
Pair McTominay with the younger lads coming through, and you’ve got a solid base. For the player, it’s a chance to come full circle – from academy kid to established star abroad and back to the club that made him.
Whatever happens, this McTominay story has everyone talking. Old Trafford could be getting one of its own back, and if the numbers add up, it might just be the feel-good transfer of the year. Napoli will drive a hard bargain, but United seem determined. Watch this space – the next few months could get very interesting.
