Man Utd wonderkid Garner could make permanent Nottingham Forest transfer
Jacque Talbot
- Updated: 23 May 2023 08:55 CDT
- 3 min read
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James Garner is very likely to go back to Manchester United in the summer when his Nottingham Forest loan deal expires, but if Steve Cooper's side win promotion to the Premier League, the equation could be changed, FootballTransfers has been told.
As it stands, the midfielder will be shipped back to Ralf Rangnick's side upon the season's conclusion - but if Forest did make a top-flight return, it may open up a channel of discourse about the 21-year-old remaining at City Ground for another year, if not longer.
Sources have told FootballTransfers that though a third consecutive loan is doubtful at this stage, he is enjoying his football under Cooper and his family loves the Midlands club.
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Forest would like to keep hold of the player for a third term but a lot will depend on what league they will be playing in next campaign.
Reports have suggested that Man United are open to the possibility of making any deal permanent in the summer for potential suitors, but a new manager in the dugout could also rupture those plans,
There's a degree of uncertainty at the moment, but should United wish to offload the talented individual, a Forest side playing in the top flight would have a huge chance.
They are presently ninth in the standings and are three points short of the playoff spots but have been one of the teams in form lately.
Could Garner be another Elanga for United?
Anthony Elanga has been a surprise revelation under Rangnick, being one of Man United's focal points of attack this season.
Such has been his displays in red, Rangnick has even snubbed the likes of Marcus Rashford out of the side in favour of the Swede.
Can Garner - valued at €4 million on FootballTransfers' algorithm - do the same if he makes a return to Old Trafford?
The Merseyside-born player may still be blossoming, but he has the capacity to perform in every part of the midfield.
Cooper has used him as a CAM, in central midfield, and even in the holding position as part of a 4-2-3-1 this season.
Such versatility can only be a benefit for him in trying to forge a place in the first-team.
A new boss in the dugout could well see a use for a youngster who can perform in front of the backline but also have the knack of finding the net, with Garner scoring on seven occasions for Forest across two seasons.
