Tottenham have found a cheap solution to their midfielder search. With the pursuit of Nicolo Zaniolo stalling as Roma play hard-ball over the Italian's sale, attention could turn back to one of their previous targets.
With Manchester United looking to clear-out some of their current midfielders to accommodate for the expected arrival of Adrien Rabiot, 21-year-old starlet James Garner is now up for permanent move away from Old Trafford. He spent last season on-loan at Nottingham Forest, helping them to promotion and he made a big impact at the County Ground, playing 41 times in the league for Steve Cooper's side.
Although Paul Pogba has left Erik ten Hag's squad this summer, the midfield is still an area that the club want to reinforce and Garner, who has been an unused substitute for of the opening two league defeats, isn't seen as a completely viable answer to the deeper issues in Manchester.
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The Athletic's David Ornstein has written that, "Manchester United are open to permanent offers for James Garner, with several Premier League clubs interested in a move.
"Erik ten Hag has decided that Garner should be allowed to leave if a suitable bid arrives for the 21-year-old midfielder. Sources say United value Garner at around £14million ($17m).
"Everton, Southampton and Leeds have all shown interest in Garner. Tottenham Hotspur have also watched him. A departure will only take place if it makes sense for player and club."
Garner, who is highly-rated by those at the club, couldn't return to Nottingham this summer after Dean Henderson filled the No.1 spot on a loan deal first, and now, after making his debut at the age of just 18, Garner could leave his boyhood club permanently.
Although Garner would prove to be a risk for Antonio Conte, the club are known to have held a long-standing interest in the England youth international and could pounce on his current situation for just £14m. With Harry Winks, Giovani Lo Celso and Tanguy Ndombele all part of Conte's out pile, and with Yves Bissouma and Pepe Matar Sarr now in the squad, there is still room for an extra addition to the side this summer.
Sarr hasn't been apart of either matchday squad for Conte yet and could yet leave the club on a second loan which would further open up the opportunity for Garner, should he make a move to London. Garner's style is less suited to the attacking midfielder role that Zaniolo or James Maddison play as, but he did get four goals and eight assists last season in the Championship having played alongside new Spurs wingback Djed Spence.
The move would be a step-up for Garner, who might not be immediately ready for Premier League football after making only two league appearances for Man United, none since October 2019 and he has never played more than eight league minutes off the bench, let alone make a start.
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