Scott McTominay says he would consider joining Real Madrid if Jose Mourinho contacted him about a move, despite the Napoli midfielder currently being unavailable because of a heart condition.
The Scotland international was asked this week whether he could imagine working with Mourinho again, having previously played under the Portuguese manager at Manchester United.
“If Mourinho called me about Real Madrid, honestly, I’d think about it,” he said.
McTominay and Mourinho have retained a close relationship since their time together at Old Trafford. After Benfica’s 2-0 Champions League victory last season, McTominay gave Mourinho his Napoli shirt, underlining the continued warmth between the pair.
Mourinho handed McTominay his Manchester United debut and joked last season about the midfielder’s decision to give him the shirt.
“I gave him his debut” Mourinho said last season, I put Pogba on the bench for him. The least he could do was give me his shirt.”
McTominay made 31 appearances for Manchester United during Mourinho’s time in charge. Mourinho has since left Benfica and rejoined Real Madrid, where he is already enjoying success after a series of impressive results.
The prospect of a future reunion has emerged while McTominay is facing a period on the sidelines. Napoli confirmed this week that he will undergo a minor heart procedure after doctors discovered “a mild benign arrhythmia”.
An arrhythmia is an abnormal or irregular heart rhythm. It is usually managed with medication designed to control the heart rate and improve symptoms. If medication is not effective, an ablation may be considered as the next course of treatment.
The condition could be a concern for Real Madrid and Mourinho if McTominay were to become a potential target in the near future. Napoli have confirmed, however, that the midfielder is expected to return after the international break.
McTominay, who was named Serie A player of the year, could therefore resume his career later this year and work his way back towards his best form. His immediate priority remains completing the procedure and recovering before returning to action for Napoli.
For now, his comments have kept open the possibility of linking up with Mourinho again, this time at Real Madrid. Any interest from the Spanish club would have to be considered alongside McTominay’s recovery and his return to competitive football.