Newcastle United’s head coach, Eddie Howe, has expressed his admiration for the Scottish international midfielder, Scott McTominay, who has earned 45 caps and stands at an impressive height of 6 feet 4 inches. Interestingly, Scott was born in Lancaster, England, but qualifies to play for Scotland due to his Scottish heritage, as his father hails from there.
Now, with Tolani facing a 10-month ban and being sidelined for the rest of the season, the recruitment team, led by Sporting Director Dan Ashworth, faces the task of identifying potential signings in the upcoming January transfer window. Enhancing the squad is a consistent priority for Newcastle, though it’s acknowledged that this can be more challenging during the winter window than in the summer.
The club’s decision on transfer targets may also hinge on their performance in the Champions League knockout rounds. However, regardless of this, Eddie Howe will need reinforcements in January. The positive news is that Joe Willock made his season debut recently, but another central midfielder is needed to fill Tolani’s void.
Eddie Howe’s interest in a player typically stems from his belief that he can enhance their skills and performance. This has been evident in the progress of several players he inherited at Newcastle, including Joelinton, Jamaal Lascelles, Sean Longstaff, Callum Wilson, Jacob Murphy, Joe Willock, Alexander Isak, and others. Therefore, it’s reasonable to assume that if Newcastle were to acquire McTominay, who boasts 150 Premier League appearances and made his Scotland debut five years ago, Eddie Howe could maximize his potential.
McTominay’s football journey began at Manchester United when he was just five years old, and he has remained with the club throughout his career. Having played 217 games for the Red Devils, with 22 goals and 5 assists, since his debut on May 7, 2017, McTominay has never been loaned out. However, it remains uncertain whether Manchester United’s manager, Erik ten Hag, will consider letting McTominay leave in January, especially as he has not been a regular starter for the team.
With the upcoming January transfer window on the horizon, there is hope that Newcastle can secure some valuable additions to their squad. As the season approaches its midpoint in early January, reinforcements will be crucial. The question that remains is whether McTominay would be a suitable addition for Newcastle, a matter open to debate.
