Manchester United have drawn up an eight-man shortlist as they seek to bolster their midfield options for manager Ruben Amorim when the January transfer window opens.
Garner Emerges as Surprise Target
Former United academy graduate James Garner is a surprise name under consideration by the Old Trafford hierarchy. The 24-year-old midfielder left the club for Everton in 2022 in a deal that could reach £15 million, following the arrivals of Casemiro and Christian Eriksen.
Now, after making over 100 appearances and impressing at Goodison Park, United are pondering a move to bring him back. Garner's situation is complicated by his contract, which has just six months remaining, though Everton hold an option to extend it by a further year.
The Full List of Midfield Options
According to reports, Garner is one of several players United are tracking. The club previously made approaches for Brighton's Carlos Baleba and Chelsea's Conor Gallagher last summer and retain an interest in both.
Gallagher could be available for around £35 million this month. Other domestic talents on the radar include Crystal Palace's Adam Wharton, Bournemouth's Tyler Adams, and Wolves' Joao Gomes.
The shortlist also features a more experienced option in Ruben Neves, whose contract with Saudi Arabian side Al-Hilal is nearing its end.
Anderson Tops the Wishlist
However, the club's primary target is said to be Nottingham Forest and England star Elliot Anderson. The former Newcastle United player is unlikely to be available for a transfer in January, meaning United may have to wait until the summer and face significant competition for his signature.
This makes a move for Garner a potentially cost-effective solution for the immediate future, allowing United to allocate greater resources to a summer pursuit of Anderson.
Everton manager David Moyes has already indicated a desire to keep hold of Garner, stating in December that the club would do everything to ensure he stays, viewing the external interest as a sign of the player's progression.
