James Garner's agent has responded to claims that the Manchester United player will be returning to Nottingham Forest next season.
Garner spent 2021-22 on loan at the City Ground and helped Steve Cooper's Reds to promotion to the Premier League, setting up the only goal of the game in last month's play-off final win at Wembley. The 21 year-old has spent the past season-and-a-half on Trentside and was an integral part of Forest's return to the top flight.
Garner's performances have attracted interest from other clubs, with East Midlands rivals Leicester City reportedly keen on a move for the England Under-21 international. New United boss Erik ten Hag will reportedly take a look at Garner before deciding what is next for the player.
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It has been reported that the Red Devils want to keep hold of Garner and prefer to loan him out to Forest again instead of selling him, with Everton also said to be interested in acquiring the player. "That's good information, I’ll let Jimmy know what the plan is for him next season," Steven Beck, Garner's agent, posted on social media on Friday.
Garner is under contract at Old Trafford until 2024 and it would take a club-record deal to secure his services permanently while Forest will also be hamstrung by Premier League loan rules next season. Forest had five players on loan last campaign but will be limited to just two in the top tier for 2022-23.
Garner admitted his future is uncertain in an interview for the play-off final matchday programme. "The whole idea of a loan is to show everyone what you can do, get better and put yourself in the best possible position to go back to your parent club," he said.
"I don't know what that will consist of at the moment, but I feel like I've given myself the best possible chance to go in and do my best. I came to Forest when they were low down in the league, but playing week in and week out has been really beneficial.
"The overall feel around the club, the staff, the fans - everyone associated with Forest have made me feel welcomed from day one."
