BOMBSHELL: Napoli’s £150M Superstar “DESPERATE” to Ditch Italy and Begs Newcastle to Save Him So He Can Worship at the Altar of Saint Eddie Howe! Toon Fans, Brace Yourselves… This Transfer Will Break the Internet!
Shopping in Serie A—much like in the rest of Europe’s top five leagues—has proven to be a highly successful strategy for us in recent years.
The acquisitions of Sandro Tonali and Malick Thiaw, both signed from AC Milan in 2023 and 2025 respectively, stand out as two of the most influential additions to our current squad.
Securing both players for a combined fee of under £100 million only reinforces the question of why any club willingly continues to pay inflated Premier League prices.
When you combine those deals with other smart signings—Sven Botman and Bruno Guimarães from France, Joelinton and Nick Woltemade from Germany—it becomes clear that tapping into the wider European market is likely the smartest long-term approach for Ross Wilson and the club’s recruitment team.
And now, according to a new report, an opportunity may be emerging to snap up another elite talent from Serie A.
He’s a player Eddie Howe has held in high regard for years, though pursuing him may clash with the direction the PIF are pushing for in future transfer windows.
Former Target Open to Joining Newcastle?
The Chronicle reports that Newcastle are closely watching the situation of Scotland international and Napoli standout Scott McTominay, as speculation over his future in Italy continues to intensify.
Journalist Lee Ryder claims McTominay would be open to working under Howe and is interested in the idea of playing at St James’ Park.
McTominay, who was crowned Serie A’s MVP last season after helping guide Napoli to their fourth Scudetto, is believed to be unsettled in Naples and eager for a return to the Premier League.
The ex-Manchester United midfielder is tied to a contract until 2028, and Napoli are expected to demand more than the £25 million they paid to secure him.
Howe was an admirer of McTominay during his Old Trafford days, though that link drew heavy criticism from some quarters at the time—before the midfielder transformed his game in Italy.
While Newcastle can currently cope without adding another No. 8 to the midfield, competition for places remains tight.
Yet with Joelinton approaching 30 and facing more frequent fitness challenges, strengthening this area may not be a bad idea in the medium term.
Would McTominay Fit the ‘New’ Transfer Model?
The Chronicle also notes that the PIF have encouraged a refreshed transfer policy over the summer, one that leans heavily toward signing younger, high-potential players rather than established, fully developed stars who command larger fees.
This shift would appear to contradict a move for someone like McTominay.
This doesn’t mean experienced players won’t be signed—in fact, the club were left with little choice but to bring in Yoane Wissa to ensure adequate striker depth for the opening months of the season.
However, the long-term vision seems to prioritise more Woltemade-style prospects for Howe and the recruitment team.
McTominay turns 29 in just a few weeks. So even though Howe has admired him since his Manchester United years, the question becomes whether Newcastle are willing to pursue him knowing that younger, cheaper—albeit less proven—options are available across the continent.
