'Will stay' - Fulham and West Ham sent £40m transfer blow by pundit

Fulham and West Ham have been told that their pursuit of Manchester United midfielder Scott McTominay could be a waste of time by Scottish football legend Ally McCoist.

The Cottagers are believed to be frontrunners to complete a move for the 27-year-old as Marco Silva looks to recruit in midfield. Star man Joao Palhinha is expected to complete a move to Bayern Munich with the riverside club also linked with a swoop for Arsenal star Emile Smith-Rowe.

West Ham have long been interested in McTominay with former manager David Moyes confirming that the club had failed in a transfer move last summer. There have been conflicting reports this window, some suggesting that the Hammers' interest has died with Moyes' departure, but other outlets claim that new manager Julen Lopetegui could still be interested in the Scotland international.

The Manchester Evening News have reported this week that Manchester United have rejected a bid from Turkish side Galatasaray as interest grows. The failed West Ham bid last season was believed to be around £30 million with the Red Devils valuing the player closer to the £40 million mark.

Speaking to talkSPORT BET, Rangers legend and former Scotland international McCoist has given his opinion on the player. The 61-year-old believes that Manchester United's rejection of bids comes from a desire to hold onto the player, rather than drive up his price.

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McCoist said: “Scott McTominay will stay at Manchester United under Erik ten Hag. You can count on one hand the number of players who have been successful under Ten Hag at Manchester United – McTominay is probably top of the list.

"He’s come in and handled the responsibility of playing for United far better than some of the other players so I think he’ll have a good future at the club under Ten Hag.”

The midfielder, who came through the Manchester United academy and would represent a strong profit if sold by the Red Devils, scored 10 goals in 43 appearances across all competitions last season.