Eddie Howe is plotting a summer move for Manchester United midfielder Scott McTominay in order to get the best out of current star Bruno Guimaraes.
Newcastle United are firmly back in the race for a top-four place, with back-to-back wins leaving their Champions League destiny in their own hands. They currently sit in fifth place, two points behind Tottenham and with two games in hand.
And plans are already being set in motion for another aggressive transfer window as they look to turbocharge their development under the stewardship of the Saudi Public Investment Fund. McTominay was a target for Howe in the most recent January window, as he looked to bolster his options at the base of their midfield.
However, at the time, the Red Devils were unwilling to sell the Scot, despite him failing down the pecking order at Old Trafford. The 26-year-old has predominantly been used as a substitute this season, with the likes of Casemiro, Marcel Sabizter and Fred both ahead of him in the pecking order.
The Telegraph report that the Magpies are hoping that lack of football could open the door for a move this summer, with the player said to be interested in the switch. Erik ten Hag is also hoping for a busy window later this year and the sale of McTominay to a Premier League rival could help fund that.
A move for the Man United academy graduate would also enable Howe to move Guimaraes further forward, in a tactical switch which could see the brilliant Brazilian become even more influential on Tyneside.
Ironically, it’s a lack of attacking efficiency which is believed to be behind McTominay’s lack of minutes at his current club. In over 200 appearances, he has just 18 goals and five assists, tallies that Ten Hag has personally told the midfielder he must improve upon.
"I should score more goals," McTominay admitted at an event last December. "The manager has actually spoken to me about that and shown me little clips and little ways I can be more effective in the game: making assists, scoring goals
"If you do certain little details, then you can get yourself in those positions more often. I know that I can do it. I’ve always liked to fancy myself that I can score goals and stuff like that, so it’s important I keep practising.
He added: "Whenever the manager speaks to you, you’ve obviously got to listen and take it all on board. It’s really good information that he’s giving you.
“He’s like that with a lot of players, where he’ll sit them down and speak through clips of games: saying 'doing this, how you can influence this.' Loads of fine little details that can help players and obviously give them confidence, putting his time into us, personally and not just in a group scenario."
McTominay was selected in Ten Hag’s most recent starting XI, stepping in for the suspended Casemiro during the dramatic 3-1 win over Fulham in the FA Cup. He played less than an hour however, with Antony coming on for him as they searched for a way back into the tie.
