Aston Villa are emerging as early favourites to sign Scott McTominay should the midfielder become available from Napoli. Former Manchester United chief scout Mick Brown believes a move to Villa Park is far more likely than a return to Old Trafford for the 29-year-old.
Brown, who was involved in McTominay's initial development at United, told reporters that the club are unlikely to try and re-sign a player they deemed surplus to requirements two years ago. "I would be very surprised if Man United looked to bring Scott McTominay back to the club," Brown said.
Instead, Brown sees Villa as a smart fit. He stated McTominay has shown his quality for both Napoli and Scotland and would bring valuable experience to Unai Emery's squad. The scout added that the player would be an improvement on Villa's current midfield options and would fit well with the club's project, potentially bolstering the group shown in the club's official squad list.
McTominay's immediate focus, however, is on regaining a starting spot at Napoli following a move to Serie A in 2024 and a period of recovery from heart surgery in Italy. He is not currently considering a future transfer, which means any potential move to the Premier League is on hold for now.
Villa's interest comes as the team looks to build on a mixed start to the Premier League season. While they sit 16th in the standings with five points from six games, their form has improved dramatically with four wins and a draw in their last five matches across all competitions, including a 6-0 victory over Fenerbahçe. The club's long-term admiration for McTominay positions them as frontrunners should he seek a return to England next summer. For now, the team's focus shifts to their next fixtures, where they will aim to continue this improved run of form.
This story first appeared at sports.yahoo.com
