Bruno Fernandes will not get his wish of playing with James Garner after Manchester United let the academy talent leave on transfer deadline day.
Garner, who impressed on loan at Nottingham Forest last season, was part of Erik ten Hag's squad during pre-season, starting at Old Trafford against Rayo Vallecano.
He had not featured in the league, though, and Everton got a £15m deal over the line despite interest from Forest and others towards the end of the window.
The 21-year-old was one of two permanent departures on deadline day, with Dutch youngster Tahith Chong moving to Birmingham City after a successful loan spell of his own. It means Fernandes, who had spoken highly of Garner, will not get his chance to line up alongside the academy graduate this term.
Back in April, Fernandes was asked about which academy player he was most looking forward to playing with. Garner was his answer, with the midfielder thriving for Forest at the time.
Garner played 41 times in the Championship during the regular season, helping Steve Cooper's side first climb out of the relegation zone and then climb into the top six before winning the play-off final. After playing in the victory over Huddersfield Town at Wembley, the youngster seemed certain to have Premier League football in his future.
That is indeed the case, but those games will come in Everton blue and not United red. He leaves Old Trafford with just seven senior appearances for his boyhood club, the last of them coming against Colchester United in December 2019, just a few weeks before Fernandes' arrival.
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“I’m made up to sign for Everton," Garner told evertontv after moving to Goodison Park. "It’s a huge step in my career and I want to help the team get better while progressing as a player. I think Everton is the perfect place to do that. I can’t wait to get started.
“The manager [Frank Lampard] has got a real plan for the Club and for me. Working with him on a daily basis is major for me. Him and his staff can take me and the team to the next level. That’s what I’m hoping for."
Lampard, himself a former midfielder, was glowing in his assessment of the new signing. Garner was joined at Everton by Idrissa Gueye, who returned from Paris Saint-Germain on deadline day, with fellow midfielder Andre Gomes making a late loan departure.
“James is a fantastic midfielder with a great all-round game who has qualities we know Evertonians will appreciate," Lampard said. "We are really looking forward to working with him and having him add further strength to our squad.”
