Danny Murphy has insisted he is 'surprised' that Manchester United have sanctioned a deal to allow James Garner to depart for Everton.
The 21-year-old is set to return to Merseyside in a £15m deal that would see Frank Lampard complete his seventh signing of the summer window, with Sky Sports News reporting that a transfer has already been agreed between the two clubs for Garner.
Having impressed on loan with Nottingham Forest just last season, Garner's game time at Old Trafford looks likely to be hindered by the recent arrival of former Real Madrid star Casemiro.
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With Idrissa Gueye looking like to re-join the Blues too, competition for places is certainly hotting up at Goodison Park, with Murphy confused as to why the transfer has been given the green light.
“I am surprised,” said the former Liverpool and Tottenham midfielder, as he spoke to TalkSport this morning (Wednesday).
“He had a terrific season (at Nottingham Forest). He can play holding, box-to-box, he’s technical and can score a goal. I’m really surprised (United are letting him go).”
Having fought off competition for Nottingham Forest for his signature, Garner could now link up with Frank Lampard's side ahead of their mammoth Merseyside derby with Liverpool this weekend.
An England Under-21 international too, the former Watford loanee might have thought his chance had arrived at Old Trafford this summer, with Paul Pogba, Jesse Lingard and Nemanja Matic all leaving the club he has been at since the age of eight.
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