Everton favourites to complete deal for Manchester United’s James Garner – Fabrizio Romano
Everton are closing in on a deal to sign Manchester United midfielder James Garner permanently before the window shuts, Fabrizio Romano reports.
The youngster who starred on loan at Nottingham Forest in the Championship last season was surprisingly made available by Erik Ten Hag amid a bad start to the season and Frank Lampard wanted to take advantage.
It appears he is now set to do so with the Toffees in pole position to beat a host of clubs vying for 21-year-old’s signature in the final hours of the window.
Writing on his personal Twitter account on Wednesday morning (31 August) Romano said: “Everton are winning the race to sign James Garner, now feeling close to complete the agreement with Man United on permanent deal.
“Been told Everton are pushing to get it done — three other clubs have bid but EFC now favourites.”
Surge
This will be music to the manager’s ears as he has been desperate to improve his central midfield all summer, and has been pushing to do so despite the headline arrival of Amadou Onana.
Quite why they have seen fit at United to respond to their established players beginning the season so badly by jettisoning up and coming talent only they will know, but if that is to the benefit of the Toffees then they shouldn’t look a gift horse in the mouth.
If the arrival of Idrissa Gueye is also completed in time, which it belatedly appears to be in line to do, this unit is going to end up a major strength at Goodison, and arguably across the league.
After so many frustrating set backs on different targets across the summer, and a difficult start to the season that is only now starting to show signs of recovery, this is a significant boost.
It is no surprise that Garner, who made 49 appearances across all competitions last year but has only featured a handful of times for the Red Devils, is in high demand, but it is hugely encouraging that Everton look set to come out on top of a competitive field.