Scott McTominay has become a surprise name in Real Madrid’s midfield search after Jose Mourinho singled out the Napoli star as a player he admires.
The Portuguese manager, now in charge at Real Madrid, is reportedly pushing for a move for the Scotland international despite McTominay’s contract running until 2028. The reports, sourced from *Mundo Deportivo*, suggest Mourinho’s admiration for McTominay stems from their time together at Manchester United, where the Portuguese coach handed him his first-team debut.
How did Mourinho and McTominay first connect?
McTominay’s relationship with Mourinho dates back to their days at Manchester United. The manager gave the midfielder his senior breakthrough and backed him early in his career. That trust has clearly endured, with Mourinho now viewing McTominay as a profile who could strengthen Real Madrid’s midfield.
At 29, McTominay brings experience, physicality and tactical discipline to Napoli’s setup. Since joining the Italian side, he’s become one of their most influential players, a status that has drawn external interest.
Why Napoli want to lock him down
Napoli are treating McTominay as non-transferable this summer. Club officials have made it clear they won’t entertain offers while they push to secure his long-term future. His current market value sits around €40 million, but any talks would likely start far higher given his importance to the team.
The club’s priority is to finalize a new deal before external interest grows. Their stance reflects how central McTominay is to both their present and future plans.
What happens next?
For now, the story hinges on Mourinho’s admiration for a player he helped develop. Whether that turns into a concrete transfer attempt remains unclear, as Real Madrid are assessing multiple options for the same position. Napoli, meanwhile, are focused on keeping their midfield mainstay.
The coming weeks will determine if this link turns into something more substantial—or if it fades like so many transfer rumors before it.