Phil Hay raves about Manchester United ace James Garner amid Leeds United speculation
Phil Hay has been impressed by James Garner’s form at Nottingham Forest this season amid speculation linking him with a move to Leeds United.
Garner, 21, is on loan at the City Ground from Manchester United and was linked with a move to Leeds earlier this month.
On March 5, The Sun reported that the Whites are eyeing a “shock” raid on Old Trafford to sign the England Under-21s midfielder.
In a mailbag on The Athletic website, journalist Hay was asked whether the Whites will be in the bidding to sign Red Bull Salzburg’s Brenden Aaronson again in the summer.
It is understood that the 21-year-old USA midfielder will be a target for Jesse Marsch but Man United’s Garner is also a potential recruit.
“The intention is, or certainly was, to bid again for Aaronson. He’s interested in the move, he’s played under Jesse Marsch before and Salzburg are likely to be more open to bids in the summer than they were in January,” said Hay on The Athletic’s website.
“It’ll be interesting to see who Leeds target. James Garner, the Manchester United midfielder who’s on loan at Nottingham Forest in the Championship and having a very good year, is someone I’ve heard mentioned recently.”
Great choice
Victor Orta will have his work cut out this summer because we feel as though the squad is going to undergo quite the transformation.
Regardless of whether we go down or not, the midfield simply must be added to and signing Garner would be a decent move.
He’s had a great season on loan at Nottingham Forest, playing 36 times in all competitions, scoring three goals and supplying six assists.
Garner’s played as a central midfielder, holding midfielder and attacking midfielder for the Reds but seems to enjoy the deeper role most, which makes him possibly a perfect back-up option for Kalvin Phillips.
As quoted by The Athletic earlier this month, Forest boss Steve Cooper hailed Garner’s “excellent” progression as a young player and it would be great to see his development continue at Elland Road.
Garner isn’t good enough to break into Man United’s first-team squad and is perhaps too good for the Championship, making him a good signing for a club like Leeds.
In other Leeds United news, a player who had a move to Leeds blocked by Bielsa would be perfect for Marsch.