Darren Bent, who values Scott McTominay at around £40 million, thinks the Manchester United midfielder would struggle to break into Everton’s starting lineup.
McTominay remained at Old Trafford despite being linked to a summer transfer to Goodison Park, Newcastle United, and West Ham [The Athletic, 8 June].
Next year, Everton might give the Scotland international another look, but Bent doesn’t think he would be included in Sean Dyche’s starting lineup.
“Everton is one where I look at Amadou Onana, Abdoulaye Doucoure, Idrissa Gueye, James Garner – does he get in there?” Bent stated in a speech on talkSPORT Drive [October 13, 16:15]. He most likely would, but it is not certain.
When asked how much he thinks McTominay will eventually leave United for, Bent responded, “40 million.”
In the 3-0 victory over Bournemouth before the international break, Dyche found a winning recipe thanks to Onana’s outstanding play after Gueye was forced off the field due to an injury he acquired during the warm-up.
Ironically, Garner was also passed over for United. Despite this, Garner has been one of the Toffees’ top players this season and is a lock to start, while Doucoure has been Everton’s best goal scorer under Dyche.
That gives Dyche four excellent options for center midfield, even though they haven’t always worked out.
But we must be careful not to let our dominance versus Bournemouth cloud our judgment. After all, there’s a reason Everton is currently in 16th position in the Premier League.
As a late substitution in United’s 2-1 victory against Brentford last week, McTominay pulled off a magnificent comeback, yet it’s unclear if he’s yet to win over boss Erik ten Hag.
That McTominay and the player who appears to play for Scotland like Diego Maradona could penetrate Everton’s central midfield.
However, in the upcoming transfer windows, there are other areas of the field that will require extra reinforcement.
