It's safe to say even the most minuscule mention of Manchester United's midfield man McTominay and Newcastle United fans are battening down the hatches and swiftly pontificating about how X,Y or Z would be a better use of Eddie Howe's transfer kitty.
McTominay has been heavily linked with a move to Tyneside in recent weeks but his St James' Park audition earlier this month did little to convince the majority of the Geordie faithful he is the man they should be pursuing this summer.
Thankfully, for Newcastle fans of such a persuasion, Manchester United looked to have priced Newcastle out of a move after reportedly sticking a £50m price tag on the Scot's head this summer. Is this their revenge for Newcastle's Sean Longstaff demands all those years ago?
So, with that in mind, who could Dan Ashworth and his Magpies scouting team target instead? Chronicle Live has looked at four suitable alternatives who would strengthen Howe's midfield this summer.
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Youri Tielemans
It's hard to believe Leicester's midfield maestro Youri Tielemans is only 25. The Belgian has earned plenty of admirers across Europe since bursting onto the scene with Anderlecht as a baby-faced 16-year-old.
Tielemans has been linked with a King Power exit for many a season now. However, despite interest from some of the Premier League's biggest names, the Foxes have managed to hold onto him at every turn.
This summer will be different as Tielemans prepares to depart Leicester on a free transfer. Newcastle, among others, will be clambering to try and secure the midfielder's sought-after signature. With the Magpies on the cusp of European football, they now have another string to their bow when it comes to trying to persuade the experienced star to snub the so-called 'Big Six'.
Edson Alvarez
"Of course my focus is one hundred percent on Ajax at the moment. But if something beautiful comes along next summer that is good for Ajax and for me, then I want to seize that opportunity.” Edson Alvarez has already set out his stall when it comes to leaving Ajax in the near future.
After seeing a late summer switch to Chelsea (as if they need anymore players) fall through, Alvarez admitted he was disappointed not to get the move. Newcastle are one of the clubs who have since tracked the Mexican in recent months after his fine performances in the Eredivisie.
The 26-year-old has been touted as a potential heir to Sergio Busquets' defensive midfield thrown at Barcelona and does a wonderful job sweeping up in front of Ajax's back four at present. Newcastle fans are desperate for a CDM of his quality to unleash Bruno Guimaraes further up the pitch.
James Ward-Prowse
Staying closer to home, Newcastle really need to keep one eye on the bottom of the table despite being in nosebleed territory themselves at the top. With Leicester, West Ham, Southampton, Leeds, Forest and Everton all at risk of going down, there could be some serious cut-price deals to be done if any of these former Premier League mainstays drop down to the second tier.
James Ward-Prowse certainly fits that bill and has admirers on Tyneside already. Lethal from a dead-ball scenario, Newcastle could have the luxury of the Saints captain and Kieran Trippier to choose from on set-pieces next season.
Ward-Prowse's all-round game continues to impress and the 28-year-old's engine is certainly a reason he has been selected on so many occasions by national boss Gareth Southgate. With other Premier League heavyweights unlikely to be forming a queue for JWP's services, Newcastle may be able to sneak in unmarked.
Khephren Thuram
Newcastle have been heavily linked with a move for French forward Marcus Thuram. However, his brother Khephren may be the deal that makes more sense.
The Nice midfielder, 22, has made waves in Ligue 1 this season, earning himself a senior France call-up in the process. Thuram is primarily a defensive midfielder and is another who has been compared to Nou Camp legend Busquets.
Thuram can also be used in a more advanced role and has chipped in with goals and assists this season. One negative regarding a potential deal is likely price tag given his reputation in France and across Europe.
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