Everton are sizing up a move for Manchester United youngster James Garner who is currently on loan at Nottingham Forest. The Merseyside club have been the most active Premier League club so far in the January transfer window.
They have already signed 20-year-old Nathan Patterson from Rangers and 22-year-old Ukrainian Vitaliy Mykolenko. Benitez seemingly wants to continue his pattern of acquiring young talent as Everton eye 20-year-old James Garner as their 3rd signing.
According to reports from Football Insider, Rafa Benitez thinks highly of James Garner and is now considering him as a January transfer option. Benitez is looking to strengthen the midfield of his underperforming team.
For this transfer to happen, Garner will have to terminate his season loan with Nottingham Forest. The young midfielder has spent 12 months at the Championship club, joining in January last year. He still has 6 months remaining on his loan deal.
The Manchester United loanee has made 41 appearances for the Championship club so far, the majority of them in a defensive midfield role. He has scored five goals and assisted one.
Garner is a highly rated Manchester United academy product. Bruno Fernandez has named the youngster as one of the young star players of the club. He has played 7 games for the English giants. He also featured as a substitute in the unforgettable game at the Parc des Princes in the Champions League.
The young midfielder is a regular starter for Manchester United in their pre-season games.
Will James Garner make a switch to the English side this month?
James Garner has been developing quite well in his loan stints. He has turned some heads and earned a lot of praise for his performances with the Tricky Trees.
There were reports of the 20-year-old resisting to sign a new contract with the club last season. But he committed to the Red Devils by signing a new contract that keeps him at the club till 2024.
Garner has often expressed his desire of playing for the Manchester club in the future. But has only been able to play the odd game once in a while. His loan deal with Nottingham Forest has done him a world of good.
Ralf Rangnick’s team has something missing in their midfield this season with many supporters asking for a new holding midfielder. It would make sense for Garner to see out his loan in the Championship and assess his situation next summer. There might just be an opening in the midfield for someone like Garner.
The youngster could benefit from another 6 months with Nottingham Forest. It will guarantee him game time which is not something the Toffees can offer.
However, if the Premier League club decide to bid for Garner, Benitez could convince him to move with a regular role in the senior team. It would be a huge gamble on the Spaniard’s part to move for a player having no experience of playing in the top division.
Garner will likely see out his loan duration in the Championship and may decide to move next summer if not offered a role in the Manchester United midfield. There is a chance of the United starlet spending another season on loan, this time in the Premier League.
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