Phil Hay has revealed that Leeds United hold an interest in James Garner this summer.
It’s safe to say that Leeds will likely be making a move for some new central midfielders this summer, with their form becoming disastrous without the constant presence of top midfielder Kalvin Phillips compared to last season and the club having to rely on Adam Forshaw – who’s picked up another significant injury – for 26 games this season.
It has been reported that Leeds already have a deal in place for January transfer target Brenden Aaronson, but with interest from Manchester City in Phillips, according to Hay, Jesse Marsch and Leeds may feel that more than one new central midfielder is required, especially after striker Sam Greenwood played there on Sunday.
While speaking on The Phil Hay Show, Hay has revealed that he’s been told Leeds have an interest in Championship play-off finalist Garner.
He said: “James Garner – who has been at Forest on loan from Manchester United, is somebody who’s been mentioned to me a couple of times as somebody they like, speculatively – would kind of fit there.”
TIF Thoughts on Garner…
The on-loan Manchester United midfielder has been a key figure in Nottingham Forest’s rise from the bottom of the Championship into the play-off final under Steve Cooper, and while Leeds may like the midfielder, it has been reported that Erik ten Hag is willing to give Garner a chance in pre-season, so he may not even be heading out on loan again next season.
At just 21 years of age, Garner is proving himself to be a real talent, featuring 41 times during the regular season in England’s second tier as well as chipping in with a handy four goals and eight assists, but with Man United linked with the likes of Frenkie de Jong this summer, Garner may see minutes limited, so a loan move to a fellow Premier League club could well be on the cards and work for everyone involved.
Interestingly, he’s even had his crossing ability compared to that of David Beckham on TalkSPORT, as well as Martin Keown calling him ‘quality’, so there’s clearly something about him.
Would Garner be a good signing?
Yes!
No!
