Man Utd sufferer becomes Brighton target as Mourinho launches rival Roma interest in second Ten Hag misfit

Scott McTominay is now attracting interest from Brighton and Roma after Man Utd set a price tag for the midfielder, according to reports.

McTominay only started 10 Premier League matches last season, which was his lowest tally since 2018-19. The forthcoming arrival of Mason Mount from Chelsea should push the Scotland international further down the pecking order at Old Trafford.

Although under contract until 2025 with the option of a further year, the time may be right for McTominay to leave Man Utd. A recent report cited interest from Newcastle and West Ham.

Now, Ben Jacobs has revealed to The United Stand that McTominay has also become a target for Brighton, where he could replace Moises Caicedo.

Caicedo has also been linked with Man Utd, although Arsenal and Chelsea have shown more recent interest.

If the Ecuador international does move on, for what should be a large fee since he has no release clause, Brighton would need to replenish their midfield further. They have already signed James Milner and Mahmoud Dahoud on free transfers, but have lost Alexis Mac Allister to Liverpool as well.

Another option for McTominay would be to quit the Premier League altogether by moving to Roma. The Serie A side are still managed by Jose Mourinho, who gave McTominay his senior debut for Man Utd in May 2017.

Roma already have one former Man Utd midfielder among their ranks in the shape of Nemanja Matic. Interestingly, they have also recently been linked with Fred, another option in the Old Trafford engine room who may now be questioning his future.

After already signing Houssem Aouar from Lyon this summer, Roma would likely only be picking one of Fred or McTominay. Yet a midfield investment is on the agenda nevertheless after they seemingly missed out on Davide Frattesi – who was also linked with Brighton due to his relationship with former Sassuolo manager, Roberto De Zerbi – to Inter.

Man Utd set asking price for McTominay

News of Roma’s interest in McTominay has made it to Italy, where Corriere Della Sera claims they or Brighton could pick McTominay up for €30m (£25.7m).

The next obstacle would be to see if they could match the wages he earns from Man Utd, which are about £75,000 per week (€4.6m annually).

Roma already have two English-born players in their squad: ex-Man Utd defender Chris Smalling and former Chelsea striker Tammy Abraham. They have never had a Scotland international represent them before.

That may continue to be the case if Brighton – who already have another Scottish midfielder in the shape of Billy Gilmour – beat them to McTominay, but the race appears to be open for the time being.

Both Roma and Brighton would be able to offer McTominay involvement in next season’s Europa League, which is a step down from the Champions League football on offer at Man Utd.

Interestingly, while McTominay is linked with Brighton, Man Utd have supposedly turned their attention to a Seagulls star to strengthen another position.