Napoli enter talks with Man Utd for goalscoring midfielder - report

Napoli are in talks with Manchester United over the potential signing of Scott McTominay but would prefer a loan rather than a permanent transfer, according to a report.

The Scotland international scored ten goals in all competitions last season, including match-winning braces in Premier League victories against Brentford and Chelsea, and was being monitored by Fulham earlier in the summer window.

However, the Cottagers were put off by the Red Devils' asking price which is close to £30m and that fee is also expected to be out of Napoli's reach. The Times have revealed the 2022/23 Serie A champions, who are now managed by Antonio Conte, would be keen to take the 27-year-old for the next 12 months.

Conte only joined Napoli earlier in the summer but has already revealed his frustrations with their slow summer window so far, saying: "I put myself at the club's complete disposal, I knew the situation I found and on the market you have limits in terms of the cost of the player or the salary.

"Many players don't come here because we don't play in the [European] cups. I want the best for Napoli and to try to strengthen the squad because we need it. Then I don't know what will happen, today was a nice dose of reality."

Fulham eventually backed away from a deal for McTominay after having a £20m bid rejected, but United manager Erik ten Hag has previously revealed his desire to keep the midfielder.

He said during pre-season: "When you score ten goals in a season and perform very well for Scotland, then there will be an interest, but we want to keep him because he is a very important player for our squad."

McTominay could feature in United's first Premier League game of the season when they host Fulham on Friday night.

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