Everton make approach to sign ‘phenomenal’ James Garner as £15m transfer development emerges
Everton have made an approach to sign Manchester United midfielder James Garner, who’s available for £15million, according to the Sunday People.
The newspaper reported via their print edition on 21 August (page 57) that Man United are “willing to sell” the 21-year-old defensive midfielder with Leicester and Southampton also interested in signing him.
It is understood that Garner isn’t likely to break into Erik ten Hag’s first-team plans at Old Trafford despite an impressive season out on loan at Nottingham Forest last term.
Brilliant addition
It’s crazy that Man United won’t consider giving Garner more of a role this season after how well he did on loan at Forest.
The Birkenhead-born midfielder played a major role in helping Forest win promotion from the Championship last season, playing 49 times for them in all competitions, scoring four goals and supplying 10 assists.
Speaking to The Athletic about Garner on March 22, Forest manager Steve Cooper said Garner had been “excellent” for Forest in the Championship, adding “he has been a high-performing player in the team”.
Trevor Sinclair told talkSPORT on 8 February that Garner has shades of David Beckham about him due to the way he’s able to get the ball into the box.
“James Garner’s deliveries remind me of David Beckham’s.
“He’s got that dip and that whip and it causes so many problems. The pace on the ball, he’s putting it on a sixpence every time.
“The advantage is with the attackers because they know where he’s aiming depending on what signal he puts up. It’s an absolutely phenomenal cross that he’s got in the locker.”
Everton could really do with adding to their midfield options before the summer transfer window closes.
Idrissa Gueye has been strongly linked with a return to Goodison Park but we’d much rather see a young, up-and-coming English player join us instead.
It helps that Garner is a scouser – not so much that his family are Liverpool supporters.
But still, we’re happy to overlook that given his talent and his potential.
For £15million, Everton cannot go wrong.