The transfer turning point that allowed Napoli to sign McTominay from Man Utd | OneFootball

Scott McTominay joined Napoli from Manchester United last summer, but Gazzetta dello Sport notes that if the Partenopei had signed Marco Brescianini, they wouldn’t have signed the Scotsman.

McTominay completed a €30.5m transfer from Manchester United last summer after weeks of negotiations between Napoli and the Red Devils.

Antonio Conte was seeking midfield reinforcement, and the Partenopei were close to signing Brescianini from Frosinone.

The transfer turning point that allowed Napoli to sign McTominay from Man Utd

NAPLES, ITALY – APRIL 27: Scott McTominay of Napoli celebrates after scoring his sides first goal during the Serie A match between Napoli and Torino at Stadio Diego Armando Maradona on April 27, 2025 in Naples, Italy. (Photo by Francesco Pecoraro/Getty Images)

However, Atalanta hijacked their bid and signed the Italian midfielder on loan with an option to buy.

Brescianini had even undergone medicals with the Partenopei, but he eventually moved to Bergamo, so Napoli intensified talks for McTominay and managed to reach an agreement with Manchester United.

It was surely a blessing in disguise for Conte, as McTominay has already become the most prolific Scottish goalscorer in a single Serie A campaign with 11 goals, beating Denis Law.

McTominay has netted five goals in the last three Serie A games, allowing the Partenopei to climb to the top of the table with a three-point lead over Inter and just four games remaining.