Manchester United are casting their net far and wide as they aim to improve Ruben Amorim’s midfield options at Old Trafford ahead of the start of the January transfer window.
Manchester United have put former academy star James Garner on their transfer list as they look to strengthen Ruben Amorim’s squad. The club strengthened its front line in the summer, and acquiring a central midfielder is one of its priorities going forward.
Garner, 24, joins Goodison Park from Old Trafford in 2022 for a fee worth up to £15m. He spent the previous season on loan at Nottingham Forest for England’s Under-21 season, arriving before Casemiro and Christian Eriksen left.
United are said to be considering whether to lure Garner back to his first club after he impressed in more than a century at Everton. Garner only has six months left on his contract, but Everton are said to have an option to extend his contract for a further year.
According to the Mail Online, Garner is one of eight candidates United are considering. The club made approaches to Carlos Baleva and Conor Gallagher in the summer, maintaining interest in the Brighton and Atletico Madrid star.
Gallagher could be available in January if United are willing to shell out £35m. As outlined in the summer, the La Liga side will insist on a sale rather than a loan deal.
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Crystal Palace ace Adam Wharton, Bournemouth midfielder Tyler Adams and Wolves’ Joao Gomez are also interested in the Red Devils. Ruben Neves is another player United are keeping an eye on as his contract with Saudi club Al Hilal approaches the end of his contract.
However, Nottingham Forest’s England star Elliott Anderson is reported to be at the top of the club’s wish list. The former Newcastle star is unlikely to be available in January, meaning United could face stiff competition in the summer.
Garner plans to spend more money to sign Anderson from the City Ground in the summer, which could prove to be a cost-effective option.
Everton manager David Moyes hinted he had no intention of letting Garner leave, saying in early December: “Look, I’m not letting[Garner]go and I think the club will do everything they can to make sure he stays.”
“It’s probably a bit of a difference and it shows signs (of progress) because I don’t know if in the past many clubs were chasing a lot of Everton players, but now they’re probably starting to get a little bit more interested, so that’s a good sign.”
“Hopefully he will sign a new contract when the time is right, but he also has an option (for another year) at the end of the season, so of course we will take that if necessary.”
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