West Ham and Fulham £30m transfer gaffe is shameful as player now touted as Ballon d'Or winner - opinion

West Ham and Fulham were both linked with transfer interest in former Manchester United midfielder Scott McTominay last summer. The Scotland international was there for the taking with Old Trafford looking to sell, but neither Premier League side had enough about them to make that move a reality.

The Hammers had bid £30 million to bring McTominay to London in the summer of 2023 with David Moyes looking to replace Declan Rice at the heart of his midfield. Edson Alvarez and James Ward-Prowse came in instead as the Scotsman stayed at Manchester United.

Even with Julen Lopetegui replacing Moyes, West Ham interest in McTominay were plentiful towards the start of the window. Fulham also had serious interest, with a £23 million knocked back by the Red Devils, who eventually sold the first team star to Napoli for £25 million.

Napoli beat West Ham and Fulham to £25m Manchester United transfer

McTominay is dazzling at his new club and that form has made West Ham and Fulham missing out look like a serious transfer gaffe. The Cottagers instead signed Sander Berge and Emile Smith-Rowe, who have been decent options, alongside Sasa Lukic. However, at the London Stadium, incomings Carlos Soler and Guido Rodriguez have underwhelmed with Alvarez continuing to prove himself an inconsistent alternative - Potter having to recall Ward-Prowse in January.

The ex Manchester United man bagged a brace in a big home victory over Empoli for Napoli on Monday night as he continues to rub salt into the transfer wounds of West Ham and Fulham. His Italian side are now just three points behind league leaders Inter Milan with six matches remaining, as McTominay targets a first league title of his career.

The player now has eight league goals this season, the same tally as Jarrod Bowen at West Ham in the Premier League. Speaking about his title chase, McTominay said: “I’ve dreamed of winning trophies and being a champion my whole life. I’ll never lose that feeling until my career is finished. We can’t look too far. I’m not getting too carried away with what other teams do. We must focus on ourselves and keep a clear mind.”

McTominay is clearly the type of character that West Ham have needed this season when performances have lacked impetus. For Fulham, who saw hopes of European football slip with a 1-0 defeat to AFC Bournemouth on Monday night, he’s the type of player that could have changed those matches. His efforts on Monday night even had fans online saying the all-action midfielder should be in with a shout of a Ballon d’Or nomination.

Scott McTominay in ‘monstrous’ form for Napoli

Gazzetta dello Sport rated McTominay an eight out of 10 for his performance against Empoli and labelled his efforts as ‘monstrous’. Meanwhile, Mondo Napoli believed it was a ‘dream performance’ from the ‘dominant, decisive and authoritative’ star.

The player’s influence has also been praised by Napoli manager Antonio Conte, who has revelled in the club’s efforts to beat West Ham and Fulham to his signature. He said: "We did well with Scott because he was not a starter at Manchester United, but I already knew him very well and we worked under the radar to bring him here. Of course, everyone is eager to prove themselves and I am glad that we got it right choosing McTominay."

McTominay has been incredibly resilient to whatever competition he has been fielded in too. Proven in the Premier League and Serie A, as well as in Europe, he has also maintained high levels for Scotland. The midfielder scored against Greece in the 1-0 win over the March international break.

Speaking about McTominay, Scotland teammate Che Adams said: “Scott has been massive. You can just see from his presence on the pitch. He helps the team in every aspect. Defending, running behind, scoring now as well. It’s a big bonus to have him and everyone’s happy that he’s scoring. He’s taken us up to win the games.

“He understands football and he’s amazing at making the box and arriving late and scoring goals. That’s what he’s helping us in the team now, that’s what he’s doing. We’re lucky to have him, to be honest.”

In other news, this is how West Ham and Fulham fare against rivals in a new Premier League table without VAR.