Chelsea are interested in Manchester United midfielder James Garner, according to journalist Simon Phillips.
The young English midfielder appears to be made available for transfer by United despite the lack of midfield options at Old Trafford.
He was sent out on loan to Premier League newcomers Nottingham Forest last season, making 68 appearances, scoring eight goals and creating 10 assists.
Garner played a key role in Forest's promotion and seems to have been tracked by Chelsea during his time at the City Ground.
Phillips explains:
"James Garner from Manchester United is a player that the club like and (was) scouted heavily last season. The 21-year-old defensive midfielder could well be available this window."
Thomas Tuchel's side have signed one young midfielder already this window, bringing Aston Villa youngster Carney Chukwuemeka to Stamford Bridge for £16.2 million.
The Blues appear to be looking to make further long-term additions to their midfield.
Reports claim that United are willing to offload the English midfielder for £14 million this summer.
He has not been part of the Red Devils' first two games under Erik ten Hag in which they have suffered defeats to Brighton & Hove Albion and Brentford.
Garner has two years left on his current contract at Old Trafford.
Chelsea's scouting of Garner shows Manchester United's inabilities
The fact that Chelsea are keen on Garner and Manchester United are willing to sell the midfielder is quite astounding.
The midfield duo of Scott McTominay and Fred were diabolical against Brighton in the season-opening 2-1 defeat.
The midfield three of Fred, Christian Eriksen and Bruno Fernandes against Brentford was easily dispatched of in a 4-0 thrashing.
Interestingly, former Manchester United interim manager Ralf Rangnick was asked about Garner's future at Old Trafford last season.
The German tactician gave a very telling response to United's current scouting regime, telling United's official website:
"To be honest I haven't seen that many games of Nottingham Forest but I will probably do that in the next couple of weeks with my staff and the analysis team."
He added,
"I've heard he's scored four goals and had four assists [in the league] there, but my focus, as you can imagine, has been on the current team in the last weeks and months."
Rangnick concluded,
"This is certainly good if players get game time somewhere and do well, and this is the idea behind a loan period."
It appears Garner does not feature in Ten Hag's plans at United despite the glaring issues the squad have at present.
Harnandez080
1
If man utd leave Fred and sell the boy that mean man utd don’t no anything about football again
UnitedAkonam
1
Garner is better than Rabiot, why not give the young man a chance, Bailey is no longer in the squad, permit me to say that ETH, is yet to understand where he is.
SonaGoku
0
matic Pogba Mata lingard left us we have just mcfred Vdb for CDM and all are useless we have no squad depth there is a young bright talent, not even given a chance you want to sell him? what a hopeless club
abisuyang
1
😭😭😭
wawclnryz
1
I think that erik.ten.hag is have to go because he's just been an absolute I won't say an absolute b**** you let all the team down all the team down if absolutely
It all Manchester united board members you should have talked about, did Manchester united has a quality player and they don't really ready to buy, we are playing under the pass glory..
Romilopy
1
I think that erik.ten.hag is have to go because he's just been an absolute I won't say an absolute b**** you let all the team down all the team down if absolutely
Bendiga
0
Literally 😭
Facts
cuzdeiklru
0
£14m with bonus
Pogbacxxx
0
We are getting rid of garner, a defensive midfielder who won something that Manchester United is lacking but willing to stick with Fred and Mctomminy?? How useless is that? What a conundrum. 🤦🏽♂️🤦🏽♂️🤦🏽♂️ this fukn club gives me headache everyday
Literally 😭
rehaekorty
4
sack ten hag. he has only frenki de Jong in his mind.
Zakacelotu
0
why chelse sighn mid filder
Chelsea need a creative midfielder
water0147
1
chelsea busy signing future stars early, united lookong to sell them. glazers are jokers
mowabemnou
2
why chelse sighn mid filder
juzioptuy
1
we need this
Bendiga
5
We are getting rid of garner, a defensive midfielder who won something that Manchester United is lacking but willing to stick with Fred and Mctomminy?? How useless is that? What a conundrum. 🤦🏽♂️🤦🏽♂️🤦🏽♂️ this fukn club gives me headache everyday
koebilnsz
0
we don't need anyone from dis UTD team...flops everywhere
Fuhdklnory
6
eth is fool. he should use garner in midfield instead of current midfielders