Erik ten Hag is seemingly no closer to persuading Frenkie de Jong to join him at Manchester United - but that hasn't prevented the Dutchman from deciding that he is ready to cash in on one of the stars who had been tipped to help solve the club's midfield woes.
James Garner dazzled for Nottingham Forest on loan last year and had been earmarked as a potential first-team candidate for Ten Hag, who has been desperately trying to bolster his midfield options.
However, a new report from The Athletic has claimed that Ten Hag has now decided that Garner should be allowed to leave if a suitable bid arrives for the midfield maestro, who is valued at around £14million.
After starring in Forest's promotion charge, Garner was expected to be given a chance to impress on United's pre-season tour of Australia and Thailand, but injuries prevented him from showing the new United chief what he's all about.
Despite that setback, hopes were high that Garner could still be handed a first-team role after Ten Hag indicated that he was prepared to turn to United's youngsters earlier in the summer to solve his midfield conundrum.
After seeing his attempts to sign De Jong stall, the United chief previously said: "We're looking for a player who can play in the holding midfield position, but it has to be the right one. There are not many in that position capable of the level we demand. When we can’t find him, we have to deal with the players in our squad now and we will develop one in that position."
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But Ten Hag is now willing to sacrifice the United academy graduate to raise funds - even though a deal for De Jong is looking more and more unlikely.
Manchester United agreed a financial package for De Jong's services with Barcelona earlier this summer, but the Dutchman does not appear to be keen on a switch to Old Trafford. Chelsea are also courting the 25-year-old and are believed to be his preferred destination if he is forced out of the Nou Camp in the coming weeks.
Adrien Rabiot has since emerged as a potential signing for United if they are unable to prise De Jong away from Barcelona - indicating that Garner does not feature in Ten Hag's immediate plans.
While Garner harboured hopes of breaking into United's team after his successful stint in the Championship, the report outlines that the playmaker does have Premier League admirers; Everton, Leeds United and Southampton have all been credited with an interest in the 21-year-old, while Tottenham have also watched the England U21 star.
Nottingham Forest were keen on acquiring Garner's services on a permanent basis earlier in the summer after the midfielder helped end the club's agonising 23-year exile from the top flight.
However, Forest have strengthened significantly since their initial interest earlier in the summer and it is thought they are unlikely to rekindle their interest in the popular playmaker.
