According to reports, West Ham and Manchester United have had preliminary discussions over the transfer of Scott McTominay.
Following the high-profile departure of captain Declan Rice to Arsenal earlier this month, the Hammers are looking to bolster their midfield.
Sky Sports reports that they have formally contacted United to discover a McTominay purchase price.
According to the source, the midfielder is regarded as a crucial element of the team, and a “very significant offer” would be necessary for the Red Devils to even consider selling him.
There is allegedly a discrepancy between West Ham’s willingness to pay and United’s estimated value.
The additions of Casemiro and Christian Eriksen last season in the middle of the field have left the Scotland international without a regular spot in the starting XI under Erik ten Hag.
The Dutch manager may decide to depart the team this summer as a result of the club’s ongoing changes and his rumored desire for more playing time.
Financial Fair Play regulations may prevent the club from signing a straight successor for McTominay, therefore they may decide to keep the player for at least another year.
At the same time, should Ten Hag locate a player in another position that he is eager to bring in, the allure of some much-needed money may prove to be too great to resist.
Ten Hag and Company won’t feel pressured to sell because the Scot’s contract at Old Trafford won’t expire until the summer of 2025 and they have the option of extending it by an additional year.
McTominay has not been able to secure a consistent spot on the first team, but it is not yet obvious if Ten Hag will be open to letting the player depart this summer.
He played as a midfield cover in 39 matches throughout all competitions, but only 16 of them were starts, with just 10 of those coming in the Premier League.
McTominay, though, has acknowledged that he appreciates Ten Hag’s straightforward teaching style and how players are pushed to “think about fresh concepts,” saying: “Obviously, the shift in terms of his style is very, very different from some other managers.”
But that’s football, as I said. He constantly gets you to reflect and consider fresh concepts and other things.
“It’s good, that’s the best method to play football,” was said. If he asks you to do anything, you do it to the best of your ability and attempt to learn it as much as you can. You approach every game with an open mind.