Silly season is fully upon us as the calendar creeps toward the end of the year and the upcoming January transfer window.
There have been plenty of links for Everton already, mostly focused on a striking duo that hasn't lived up to promise so far and, according to many, needs changing.
But there's one rather ridiculous rumor that's popped up in recent days that needs addressing. According to various sources, Napoli midfielder Scott McTominay is eyeing a return to the Premier League, and Everton are among the proposed suitors, along with Arsenal, Tottenham, and Manchester United.
The link is, quite frankly, one that makes zero sense for either party.
From the player's perspective, he's enjoying a rather prolific run in Serie A with Napoli. He set his career high in goals scored last year with 16 for club and country, 13 of which came for the Italian giants. It seems to have ignited his goal-scoring record for Scotland as well, as he's managed more goals for his country since joining Napoli than he had before.
He's also playing Champions League football and seems to generally be enjoying his football after a rough go of things at times with Manchester United. Leaving a good situation in the middle of the season just makes no sense at all.
From Everton's point of view, the reports suggest the move would cost somewhere in the neighborhood of €80 million, an absolutely outrageous sum given his age (he'll be 29 at the beginning of December) and what he's shown as a Premier League player.
Not to mention the fact that he doesn't fit into the current squad, which doesn't need another attacking midfielder, with the likes of Kiernan Dewsbury-Hall, Charly Alcaraz, and Merlin Röhl already in place.
This isn't to say that McTominay isn't a good player who might truly make a difference for this Everton side. The point is more that spending more money on an area of relative strength just doesn't make logical sense for the club.
If Everton are going to splash the cash this January, it needs to be at fullback, particularly on the right side, and for a true no.6 in midfield, not bolstering a position that isn't a need in the least. The reported price tag makes it all the more ludicrous that Everton would even entertain this move.
The good news is that Everton would be unlikely to win the race for his signature even if McTominay had eyes to return to the Premier League, since the other clubs could offer him more in terms of European football.
No, this is a rumor that doesn't make any sense and should be binned immediately without further thought.