25 July 2023 , 21:30
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Manchester United will not accept less than £40million for midfielder Scott McTominay.
West Ham have enquired about McTominay, to replace Declan Rice, but have been put off by United's valuation of him. McTominay, 26, wants to play regularly and knows his game time at United will be limited next season, with Casemiro, new signing Mason Mount and Christian Eriksen all ahead of him.
The Scotland international is understood to be open to the prospect of a move to relaunch his career, but United are unwilling to let the 26-year-old go for a knockdown fee. United insist McTominay, a product of their academy, remains an important member of Erik ten Hag's squad and they are not under pressure to sell him.
McTominay's contract is not up until the summer of 2025 and United have the option to extend it by a further year, so the club are relaxed about his situation, with Ten Hag viewing him as useful cover in midfield. But United need to offload players to generate funds to reinvest in the squad and to ensure they remain within the tighter new Financial Fair Play regulations.
United are open to offers for McTominay, Fred, Harry Maguire and Dean Henderson, the latter a £30m target for Nottingham Forest, where he spent last season on loan. Forest have already snapped up one Red Devil who was deemed surplus to requirements, Anthony Elanga, and completed a deal believed to be worth £15m on Tuesday.
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The United academy product, 21, drifted out of favour under Ten Hag over the course of last season, having made himself a regular starter during Ralf Rangnick's miserable spell as interim manager after breaking through under previous boss Ole Gunnar Solskjaer. Should the Red Devils offload more players before deadline day on September 1, then Ten Hag and co could welcome new additions.
Scott McTominay could struggle for game-time at Manchester United next season (Andrew Mordzynski/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images)Have your say! Is Scott McTominay worth £40million? Let us know your valuation in the comments section.
United's priority is to sign a new striker, with Atalanta hotshot Rasmus Hojlund currently top of their list. But talks between both clubs have hit an impasse due to the Italian outfit's £80m asking price.
Old Trafford chiefs are refusing to pay more than £60m for Danish wonderkid Hojlund, who at 20 has already scored six goals in as many games at international level. Another target who plays in Serie A is believed to be Sofyan Amrabat, the 26-year-old Fiorentina midfielder who Ten Hag coached at former club Utrecht and helped power Morocco to the World Cup semi-finals.
It's also been suggested that the Red Devils may recruit a new goalkeeper should Henderson depart, despite veteran Tom Heaton's impressive performances in pre-season. For now, though, United must focus on selling before buying.