Micah Richards remains keen on West Ham transfer for Scott McTominay amid Scotland form
Micah Richards has reaffirmed his belief that West Ham United should look to sign Scott McTominay after the Manchester United midfielder has impressed for Scotland.
The 26-year-old midfielder has been in inspired form for his national side, scoring and assisting in Steve Clarke’s side’s win over Cyprus and is currently tied with Harry Kane for the most goal contributions in qualifying for Euro 2024 with seven (Statman Dave, 11 September).
McTominay’s upturn in form has prompted many to suggest that he is being wasted by being restricted to Manchester United’s bench, with Sky Sports and Match of the Day pundit Richards suggesting a move to West Ham would and even could be perfect for the midfielder.
Speaking on The Rest is Football podcast on Monday (11 September), Gary Lineker said somebody needed to sign the Scot, and Richards replied: “West Ham we said, it was West Ham. I just think he’s a really intelligent, hard-working midfielder who can do a job whatever you tell him.
“It’s just the chaos of Manchester United or the player who they had in the past, so they are always comparing him to Keane or Scholes and it’s always going to be difficult. But there is a player in there, I think he’s fantastic.”
Could return
There is every chance that West Ham could return for McTominay’s signature when the January transfer window rolls around as it seems likely that the midfielder will be available once again, should anyone meet United’s £40 million asking price.
He has shown while away with the national team that he is capable of being a genuinely impressive box-to-box midfielder, a sort of role that he hasn’t always been able to feature in for the Red Devils, instead pushed to a holding role.
But David Moyes has already massively strengthened his midfield this summer, with the additions of Edson Alvarez and James Ward-Prowse alongside the already-in-place Lucas Paqueta, there doesn’t seem to be a clear space for McTominay to immediately slot into the side.
More options for a manager are never a bad thing, but whether or not the Hammers would be willing to spend such a large fee on an area of the pitch they are already strong in seems unlikely, especially when other areas have much less depth.
You can never say never, and while McTominay is in this type of form for Scotland, talk around his future won’t be going anywhere.
In other West Ham news, the Hammers opted against making a move for one striker target this summer, despite holding an interest in him