Real Madrid enquire about McTominay as Napoli contract stand-off raises exit threat

Real Madrid have made enquiries about Scott McTominay’s availability as the Scotland international finds himself in a contract stand-off with Napoli, raising the prospect of a January exit from the Serie A club. Premier League sides are also said to be monitoring the 29-year-old, whose future in Naples has grown increasingly uncertain.

McTominay joined Napoli from Manchester United in the summer of 2024 in a permanent deal worth £25.9 million (€30.5m). He quickly established himself as a key figure in midfield, helping the club win the Serie A title in his debut season before Napoli finished runners-up to Inter Milan last term.

Despite his importance to the squad, Italian outlet Tutto Mercato has reported there is ‘danger’ that a departure ‘could become more and more concrete’, with Real Madrid among the clubs to have assessed his situation. Napoli are understood to prefer holding on to McTominay until at least the summer, but it remains unclear whether they can prevent an earlier exit if contract talks continue to stall.

McTominay is reported to be ‘open’ to returning to the Premier League, where his representatives are said to be in dialogue with several clubs. Sky Sports previously reported that Manchester United themselves had enquired about a potential reunion, with Aston Villa also understood to be interested, though it is unclear whether United remain active in those conversations.

United’s decision to sell McTominay for £25.9m — a fee that now looks modest given his subsequent form — is back under scrutiny. The club did, however, negotiate a 10% sell-on clause as part of the deal, meaning they stand to receive a meaningful windfall from any future transfer, provided McTominay does not return to Old Trafford.

McTominay spent 22 years at United having come through the club’s academy, and his development into a consistent performer at both club and international level since leaving has only sharpened the debate around the original decision to let him go.