Fulham want to sign Scott McTominay from Manchester United | OneFootball

Fulham are considering making a “second bid” for Scott McTominay after Manchester United rejected their first offer of around £17 million earlier in the transfer window.

Lyall Thomas, a reporter for Sky Sports, reveals the Cottagers are “weighing up” whether to make a return for the Scotland international as they seek to buttress their midfield unit.

Writing on X, Lyall contends, “#Fulhamfc weighing up second bid for McTominay after a first made earlier in the window – believed to be around £17m – was rejected by #ManUtd.”

Fulham lost midfield lynchpin João Palhinha last week as the Portuguese star joined Bayern Munich in a blockbuster £47 million deal. Palhinha had previously agreed a move to Bavaria last summer, only for the deal to fall through at the last-minute.

This transfers means two things, however.

Firstly, Fulham have considerable cash to spend this summer; and, secondly, they have a need for a physical presence in midfield to replace Palhinha’s stature and strength.

When the London club agreed for the Portuguese midfielder to join Bayern last year, at the end of the summer window, they made a last-minute attempt to sign McTominay. United rejected the proposal as it did not meet the fee they had set for their academy graduate – believed to be as high as £45 million.

Earlier in the same window, West Ham had a £30 million bid rejected by the Red Devils as it too did not meet this threshold.

It makes sense, therefore, why Fulham have returned for a player they have a long-term admiration for, given he was the midfielder they wanted to replace Palhinha originally. United are also likely to make a concession on their original asking price, further driving Fulham’s optimism over a deal.

McTominay has one year remaining on his current deal at Old Trafford, though the club reserves the right to extend this by an additional twelve months.

The Scottish international, who scored only his country’s sixth ever goal at a European Championship last month, has also fallen down the ranks in Erik ten Hag’s midfield unit.

Often this season, the Dutch manager deployed McTominay as a quasi-forward. And while this was successful at times, it’s a clear indication Ten Hag does not see the 27-year-old as a viable option in midfield.

With the arrival of the versatile Joshua Zirkzee to buttress the forward line, McTominay’s opportunities up front are likely to be as limited as they are in the centre of the pitch moving forward.

Therefore, a move to Fulham – where McTominay would be a first-choice option in his preferred midfield slot – would represent the best option for both parties.

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