Scott McTominay was involved in a surprising Serie A defeat for Napoli as transfer speculation swirls around the Scotland midfielder. The 29-year-old started but was substituted early in a 2-1 home loss to newly-promoted Como on Saturday, a result reported by The Scotsman.
Napoli's new head coach Max Allegri suffered disappointment in his first competitive home match since taking over from Antonio Conte this summer. Martin Baturina was the star for the visitors, opening the scoring and then setting up Anastasios Douvikas for what proved to be the winner. Rasmus Hojlund pulled one back for Napoli, but they couldn't find an equaliser.
What happened in Napoli's defeat?
The match began with a lively first half where Como took control. Baturina's influence grew throughout, and his creative spark proved decisive. McTominay, who joined Napoli from Manchester United in 2024 and was a key figure under previous manager Antonio Conte, was part of a triple substitution after 56 minutes. He made way for Kevin de Bruyne as Allegri sought a response.
Fellow Scotland international Billy Gilmour was an unused substitute on the Napoli bench. McTominay has two seasons remaining on his contract with the Italian club, having won the Scudetto in his first year there. The defeat is a setback for Napoli's early season ambitions.
Is Scott McTominay leaving Napoli?
Reports from Turkey indicate Fenerbahce are keen on signing the Scottish midfielder. According to The Scotsman, it would require a substantial offer for Napoli to consider selling a player they value highly. McTominay is contracted until the summer of 2028, giving the club a strong negotiating position.
The speculation comes at a time when Scotland's national team is preparing for crucial World Cup qualifiers. Steve Clarke's side currently sit third in their qualifying group with three points from three games. Their recent form shows three consecutive defeats, including a 3-0 loss to Brazil in June. You can track the team's progress on our standings page.
How did other Scotland players perform in Italy?
It was a better weekend for two other members of the Scotland squad. Josh Doig and Kieron Bowie both started for Sassuolo in their 2-1 home victory over Torino. Their direct opponent featured Scottish striker Che Adams in the Torino lineup.
Elsewhere, young compatriot Lennon Miller came off the bench for Udinese in their dramatic 3-2 away win at Monza. Another Scotland international, Lewis Ferguson, will be in action for Bologna on Monday evening when they travel to face Atalanta. The performances of these players are being closely monitored ahead of the next international window.
What does this mean for Scotland's World Cup campaign?
The form of Scotland's players at club level is vital as the national team looks to improve its World Cup qualifying position. With a goal difference of minus three after conceding four and scoring just once, defensive solidity will be a focus. The team trails group leaders Brazil by four points.
Scotland's next fixture is an away match against Slovenia on September 26th. A positive result is essential to halt a run of three straight losses. Fans can view the full schedule on our fixtures page. The team's recent record of two wins and three defeats from their last five outings underlines the need for consistency.
The coming weeks will be important for McTominay as he navigates club uncertainty while maintaining focus for his country. His experience and physical presence remain important assets for Scotland, who need all their key players performing at their best to keep their World Cup hopes alive.
