Napoli transfer chief makes Scott McTominay transfer admission amid Premier League return rumours

Napoli are worried about losing Scott McTominay, but the Italian giants would be pleased to see him continue to thrive.

McTominay left Manchester United to join Napoli in 2024 and has gone from strength to strength in Serie A so far.

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The Scotland international won the league title last term and was also named Player of the Season for his impressive exploits.

His life has changed since moving to Italy and he’s continuing to put up strong numbers for Napoli, having a hand in 13 goals in all competitions so far this campaign to follow his 19 in the last.

It has led to the now-fan favourite being linked to potential transfers away from Naples, with rumours of a Premier League return.

And Napoli’s global business development officer, Leonardo Giammarioli, has admitted the club may not be able to prevent an eventual exit for McTominay from happening.

“Yeah, of course I’m worried,” Giammarioli admitted on talkSPORT’s White and Jordan on Tuesday.

“But ultimately, especially Scott, who’s a very nice guy, we’re happy if he gets to the next level in a couple of years – maybe not now, maybe not next year, but he deserves it.

“Look at Stuttgart, they wanted to keep Nick Woltemade, but when such an offer comes in, there’s not much you can do, when the player wants to go and money is important.”

Giammarioli also discussed the trouble that Napoli and other Serie A teams have when it comes to finances and retaining key players.

“It’s a bit complicated for Serie A and our competitive clubs…the league is still making losses in revenue,” he said.

“Of course, it’s hard to keep up with the other big four leagues, but we’re trying to improve and be competitive.

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“Keeping players is difficult, it wasn’t easy to get them [players such as McTominay and Billy Gilmour] – it’s even harder to keep them.

“We need to be smart about our signings…every bit of money we spend must count.”

Taking players to the next level

McTominay’s rise to being one of Europe’s best midfielders caught many out of the blue after his move to Napoli.

The Scottish midfielder wasn’t a standout star for Man United, but almost instantly became a crucial part of Antonio Conte‘s side.

And Giammarioli believes that Napoli deserve some credit for their role in helping players improve, with Gilmour and former Red Devils striker Rasmus Hojlund seeing success in Italy so far.

“I think that’s what we’ve always been good at,” he claimed.

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“Somehow taking players and bringing them to the next level, maybe players that were doing good, but now they become top players.

“I think the environment is right for them to grow and then we can grow as a club thanks to their support.

“Scouting is very important, and I think overall the ambition to play for Napoli, thanks to Diego Maradona‘s legacy, is huge.

“That’s a bit of our strategy, to get players that are already mature, but not yet that high in their career and make that final shift for them to become top players in the world.”