88% passing: Man Utd now want surprise January deal for £15m Premier League star

Manchester United are considering a potential move for Everton midfielder James Garner when the transfer window reopens in January, according to The Daily Mail.

The Red Devils are planning to reinforce their midfield department at the start of the New Year, but they are unlikely to make a marquee signing due to budget restrictions.

The Daily Mail claim that Nottingham Forest star Elliot Anderson has emerged as the no.1 midfield target, but United are unlikely to make an approach until the end of the season.

Instead, they could pursue a low-cost signing next month and have their sights on re-signing Garner from the Toffees amid his precarious contract situation at the Merseyside outfit.

Garner will enter the last six months of his Everton contract in January. David Moyes’ side have the option to extend his stay for another year, but prefer to reward him with a long-term deal.

The Toffees are not overly concerned about his contract status, but Garner has risen up the Red Devils’ target list, and they could seek to pursue a cut-price winter transfer.

Garner would be a good squad player for Man Utd

The 24-year-old joined the Toffees from the Red Devils for £15 million in the summer of 2022. He has since gone from strength to strength and has become an undisputed starter.

The England youth international has been brilliant for his club this campaign. He has completed 88 percent of his passes in the league with almost 60 percent of his duels won.

He has also made 2.2 tackles and 4.4 recoveries per outing with 2.1 clearances. Garner has also chipped in with three goal contributions. He has become a solid defensive midfielder.

If United were to prise him away from the Toffees this winter, he would be a good competitor to Casemiro and Manuel Ugarte, given his strong distribution and ball control in the centre of the park.

In the long run, he could end up as a good squad player, given that the Red Devils have their sights on landing a marquee number six. It could be Anderson or someone else next summer.

United have been linked with a move for Al-Hilal star Ruben Neves in recent weeks, but Garner would be a more suitable signing. He is young, better with the ball at his feet and would cost less wages.

On top of this, he would provide a resale value if the club contemplate a future sale.

Stats from Sofascore.com

Article written by Sri Aswin .