Man Utd Eye James Garner Return Amid January Transfer Buzz

Manchester United are reportedly looking at bringing back former academy midfielder James Garner this January. This potential James Garner transfer has gained traction, with a Daily Mail report, cited by ESPN, outlining United’s interest. It’s a move that could shake up the midfield at Old Trafford.

Garner’s Journey Since Old Trafford

James Garner, who is now 24, started his professional journey at Manchester United. But he only made two Premier League appearances for the club. Pretty quickly, he moved on. In 2022, Everton snapped him up for £9 million. Since then, he’s really grown into his role there. He’s become a first-team regular for the Toffees. This season, he’s already played 17 games and even bagged 2 assists. He’s proving himself, you know?

Interestingly, Garner has made over 100 appearances for Everton since joining. That’s a lot of football for a guy who didn’t quite make it at United first time around. And now, his contract with Everton is running down. He’s got only six months left on it. So, that means he could be available for a pretty low transfer fee in the upcoming window. Everton has a big decision to make on his future, a YouTube video notes.

United’s Midfield Conundrum and Amorim’s Targets

United’s pursuit of a midfielder like Garner seems to be pretty strategic. Their plans could speed up quite a bit if key players like Bruno Fernandes or Kobbie Mainoo end up leaving in January. That would open up a spot for sure. It’s all about depth, really.

But here’s the thing. Nottingham Forest’s Elliot Anderson is apparently coach Ruben Amorim’s top midfield target. So, Garner might be more of a realistic short-term option for the club. You see Amorim has said that United “cannot make the same mistakes” with transfers. So, they’re probably looking for smart, quick fixes. Garner fits that bill, especially with his contract situation. He’s a familiar face too, which helps.

Other midfield names have come up for United, too. They’ve also been linked with Atlético Madrid’s Conor Gallagher, for example. But Atlético apparently wants a permanent deal for around €30 million, and United might prefer a loan. This makes Garner’s situation pretty interesting.

Current Status: Rumour Mill in Full Swing

Right now, it’s mostly talk and speculation. No official club statements have come out. And there haven’t been any confirmed bids yet for James Garner. It’s pretty much all based on that Daily Mail report.

But the buzz is definitely there. United is clearly assessing their options. They’re looking at who they can bring in. And who knows, a return to Old Trafford for Garner could really be on the cards. It would be quite a story if he came back and proved himself at the club he started at.

The January transfer window is always full of surprises, and this one could be a big one. It’s pretty exciting for fans to think about. We’ll just have to wait and see what happens when the window officially opens. ESPN is keeping tabs on all the latest transfer rumors.