Napoli have agreed a £25million deal to sign Manchester United midfielder Scott McTominay, according to reports. INEOS are thought to have included a sell-on clause in the transfer, which is expected to clear the way for the arrival of Paris Saint-Germain’s Manuel Ugarte.
Erik ten Hag was willing to retain McTominay’s services beyond Friday’s summer transfer deadline after he scored 10 goals in 43 appearances last season.
But the 27-year-old has been among the many first-team players in the shop window during INEOS’ attempts to raise funds, and Napoli boss Antonio Conte has driven the interest.
According to The Athletic, Napoli have struck a £25m agreement with United, and the deal is subject to all parties being satisfied with the terms offered to McTominay.
United are said to have negotiated a sell-on clause into his proposed contract in Italy, setting the club up for a share of any future sale.
The report adds that Napoli sporting director Giovanni Manna has held discussions in London and Manchester during a busy period.
Napoli are set to secure the signing of Chelsea striker Romelu Lukaku and are also pursuing a deal for Brighton and Hove Albion’s Billy Gilmour.
It’s claimed United view Ugarte as a direct replacement for McTominay, whose exit will hugely benefit the club’s efforts to comply with the Premier League’s Profit and Sustainability Rules.
If a deal goes through, it will become the joint-sixth-biggest sale in United’s history, alongside Dan James’s £25m move to Leeds United in 2021.
It will be viewed as a positive outcome, given McTominay is in the final year of his contract, albeit with the option to extend it by a further 12 months.
While Ugarte is his natural successor, the financial boost could help United pursue a second midfield signing before Friday’s deadline.
Casemiro was partly culpable for both of Brighton and Hove Albion’s goals in Saturday’s 2-1 Premier League defeat, sparking fresh concern about the position.
It is easy to forget that Kobbie Mainoo – now a United stalwart and England international – is starting the first full senior season of his career.
Beyond the 19-year-old, Ugarte will join Casemiro, Christian Eriksen, Hannibal and Toby Collyer as Ten Hag’s options in his double midfield pivot.
If United manage to offload more fringe players in the coming days – with Jadon Sancho strongly linked with an exit – the potential of a second midfield recruit would increase.
