Transfers

Arsenal now want to sign ‘fantastic’ player who Manchester United sold less than two years ago

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It has become very clear that one of Arsenal’s transfer priorities is to sign a new midfielder.

The Gunners brought in eight new players last summer. Christian Norgaard and Eberechi Eze were viewed as midfield options, but neither has played enough.

Mikel Arteta needs a central midfielder who is good enough to play instead of Declan Rice or Martin Zubimendi when one of them is unavailable or needs a rest.

Sandro Tonali was linked with a move to Arsenal recently, but the latest name to come out of the rumour mill now is Napoli’s Scott McTominay.

Imagine you are Andrea Berta. Who is your top target for Arsenal in the summer transfer window?

Image of Andrea Berta looking on during an Arsenal game, overlaid a fill in the blanks style question asking who Arsenal's top transfer target should be
Credit: Getty Images/ Alex Burstow/Arsenal FC

Arsenal linked with a move to sign Scott McTominay

McTominay has become a superstar since leaving Manchester United in 2024.

The Scot produced some good performances when he was in the Premier League at Old Trafford, but he never really got the respect he deserved.

Since moving to Napoli, however, the midfielder has become one of the best players in his position in Europe and has been dominating the Serie A.

In his first season there, McTominay directly contributed to 19 goals in 39 games. In 33 appearances this season, he has scored and assisted 13 goals so far.

Scott McTominay celebrates after a goal for Napoli
Photo by Image Photo Agency/Getty Images

Now, Arena Napoli have revealed that the former United star is attracting interest from Saudi Arabia, but three Premier League clubs are interested in him as well.

One of them is Arsenal, but Napoli president Aurelio De Laurentiis is desperate to tie McTominay down to a new contract beyond the end of this decade.

The report says that only a €100 million offer from Saudi Arabia could turn the Napoli chief’s head, but even that isn’t a guarantee.

It remains to be seen if Arsenal would even consider paying that high a fee for a backup midfielder this summer.

Scott McTominay to Arsenal – yes or no? Explain your answer!

Scott McTominay poses with two trophies at Napoli, overlaid a Yes or No question asking Arsenal fans if they would take him at the club
Credit: Getty Images/SSC NAPOLI/SSC NAPOLI

Do Arsenal need Scott McTominay?

McTominay actually ticks a lot of boxes for Arsenal.

The Scotland international, hailed as ‘fantastic‘ by Andy Robertson, is physically strong and has the excellent ability to arrive late into the box to score goals. He is arguably a bigger threat in that role than Mikel Merino.

That could be why the Gunners are watching McTominay, but the Napoli star is 29 years old already and would have next to no resale value.

Spending a fortune on a player of his age makes no sense at all, especially in a backup role behind Rice and Zubimendi.

Arsenal would be better off signing Tonali or someone like Ayyoub Bouaddi instead.