Manchester United didn’t really give their academy product James Garner any chance and chose to sell after a series of loans to Everton in the summer of 2022 for just €10.2 million.
At Everton, the 25-year-old has blossomed and established himself as one of the club’s best and most important players. Ahead of the winter transfer window, Manchester United eyed the opportunity to bring the midfielder back for free and with him on an expiring contract.
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Everton manager David Moyes was calm about an extension and in January he was right. James Garner signed a contract until 2030. In other words, the free opportunity is gone, without it having weakened Manchester United’s interest.
Manchester United scouts have reported to the club’s co-owners, INEOS, that Garner is “one of the league’s best players at captured balls and interceptions”.
The Premier League club’s scouting department has noted that the 25-year-old’s “tactical discipline is a key factor” that Man Utd lack “in transition phases”.
Garner’s “verbal organisation of the defensive line on set pieces is highlighted as an elite attribute”, and the report notes that the Everton star is now a “brand player”.
While a return to Old Trafford for Garner appears to be difficult (expensive), one of his teammates at Everton could end up playing for Manchester United.
Our transfer insider, Graeme Bailey, has reported that Man Utd are interested in signing winger Iliman Ndiaye from Everton in the summer transfer window. They see Ndiaye as a strong candidate to fill the need for a “versatile attacking player”.
Joshua Zirkzee is likely to leave Man Utd at the end of the season and INEOS wants the Everton winger as his replacement.
However, we understand that Liverpool are also interested in Ndiaye and are planning a raid on Everton despite the Merseyside rivalry.
However, Everton have no plans to sell Ndiaye and plan to start talks over a new contract.
But money talks, and if Man Utd end up qualifying for the Champions League next season, they will be a very attractive club for Ndiaye.
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