Manchester United are reportedly looking to bring back former academy player James Garner. The Everton midfielder could be a target in the upcoming January transfer window. ESPN reported on the Daily Mail’s claim. It’s all part of United’s plans to boost their midfield, especially if key players move on.
Garner, who is 24, left Old Trafford back in 2022. He joined Everton for about £9 million. Since then, he’s become a regular starter for the Toffees. He’s played 17 matches this season, grabbing 2 assists. But here’s the kicker: his contract at Everton runs out in just six months. That means he could be available for a pretty low transfer fee. A real bargain, potentially.
A Familiar Face Back at Old Trafford?
James Garner came up through the Manchester United youth system. He actually made two Premier League appearances for the senior side. But, you know how it goes. Sometimes young players need to move on to get consistent game time. And he really found that at Everton. He’s made over 100 appearances for them, which is quite something. Now, though, United apparently sees him as an “affordable short-term midfield addition.” That’s the word on the street.
And it makes sense, really. United’s midfield has had its ups and downs. Coach Ruben Amorim is trying to get things right. He even said United “cannot make same mistakes” with transfers. So, a player like Garner, who knows the club and the league, seems like a logical, low-risk option. Especially with his contract situation making him cheaper.
Midfield Shake-Up and Other Targets
United’s interest in Garner also links to potential departures. There’s chatter that Bruno Fernandes or Kobbie Mainoo could leave in January. If that happens, United would definitely need reinforcements. Don Hutchison on ESPN even discussed how players need to step up if Fernandes is out. So, adding depth is pretty crucial.
But Garner isn’t the only name on United’s list, or Amorim’s list, actually. Nottingham Forest’s Elliot Anderson is still reportedly coach Amorim’s top midfield target. He’s someone they’ve been watching for a while. Other names linked to United’s midfield include Alex Scott from Bournemouth, though he’d be pretty expensive, maybe around £100 million. And there’s also talk about Atlético Madrid’s Conor Gallagher, but Atletico wants a permanent deal for around €30 million, and United might prefer a loan. Plus, they’ve been keeping an eye on Wolverhampton Wanderers midfielder João Gomes, and Rúben Neves from Al Hilal is also a name that’s popped up. So, lots of options, but Garner seems like the most immediate, practical one due to the cost.
Everton’s Dilemma and the Rumor Mill
The situation puts Everton in a tricky spot. With Garner’s contract running down, they have to decide what to do. They could lose him for nothing in the summer. So, a cut-price sale in January or even a swap deal, maybe involving Mainoo, could be on the cards for them. Transfer News Central mentioned this on YouTube, echoing reports from Boxing Day.
It’s important to remember, though, that this is all transfer rumor stuff for now. No one from Manchester United, Everton, or James Garner himself has made any official statements. It’s all coming from that initial Daily Mail report and other secondary coverage, like ESPN’s Transfer Talk. But the buzz is definitely there. We’ll have to wait and see what happens when the January window officially opens. It could be a busy time for midfield moves at Old Trafford.
Govind Singh 
Ishaan Singh