Premier League giants Manchester United are reportedly not interested in selling their on-loan midfielder James Garner in the summer.
According to TEAMtalk, Manchester United have informed Nottingham Forest that they are not interested in letting James Garner join them permanently after the ongoing season. The in-form 21-year-old academy product has been impressive in the English second division, and Manchester United are willing to give him first-team opportunities in the upcoming season.
A Manchester United youth product, the 21-year-old first joined Nottingham on loan in the 2020 January window. The Championship side came calling again last summer, signing him on a season-long loan. Garner has received regular game time there and has shown why he is so highly rated.
This season, he has made 38 appearances for Forest across competitions, scoring four times and assisting six goals. The young midfielder has played an integral part in the club’s push for a promotion to the Premier League. They are currently fifth in the Championship, eight points off second-placed Bournemouth in the automatic promotion spot.
But despite keeping in mind Forest’s potential promotion, Manchester United are not willing to sell Garner. They have reportedly told Nottingham Forest that the 21-year-old will return to Old Trafford upon the completion of his loan deal.
Manchester United, themselves, are in desperate need of midfield reinforcements and have been linked with multiple stars. They are set to lose Paul Pogba on a free transfer as the Frenchman’s contract with the club runs down this summer. This would leave them short-handed in the midfield department if they fail to add any reinforcements.
West Ham United’s Declan Rice is on top of their wishlist. Manchester United have previously shown interest in the English international but so far, no deal has materialised. But this summer could be the window that would see Rice leave West Ham for a club that could challenge for silverware regularly.
Wolverhampton Wanderers’ Ruben Neves is another player they are tracking. The Portuguese international is said to have impressed Erik ten Hag, who will reportedly take over as Manchester United’s full-time manager after the ongoing season in all likelihood. The Dutch tactician is eager to sign Neves.
Leeds United’s Kalvin Phillips has also been linked with the club recently, and Manchester United could approach their rivals with a bid for the English international. But amidst all the transfer rumours, the in-form Garner is set to return to Old Trafford, which would please the club’s fans.
