Man United are considering bringing James Garner back to Old Trafford.

Everton are accelerating contract extension talks with James Garner amid reports that Manchester United are considering a return to Old Trafford for the 24-year-old midfielder in January. Garner's current contract runs until summer 2026, meaning he could leave Goodison Park on a free transfer if no new agreement is reached. According to talkSPORT, Aston Villa and Nottingham Forest are also closely monitoring the situation.

Context: Everton needs to retain key players, Man United needs options for midfield.

Everton must act quickly to avoid losing a key player in midfield. Sources indicate that manager David Moyes has expressed a desire to keep Garner and sees him as a crucial link in Everton's rebuilding plans.

Conversely, Manchester United are looking for solutions to the gap in midfield and are seriously considering bringing back former academy players. This is a strategic move, as the January transfer window typically offers fewer quality options, but the need for personnel is urgent.

Why is James Garner a good fit?

Garner didn't make a strong impression in his first start for Manchester United, but he has matured considerably since joining Everton. He's been consistent, capable of fulfilling multiple roles in midfield, and has increasingly improved his pressing ability – a quality highly valued by manager Ruben Amorim.

Given Manchester United's emphasis on intensity, mobility, and pressing from the second line, Garner's playing record demonstrates a tactical compatibility.

The race and priority order for transfers.

Although Garner is a viable option, many Manchester United fans believe he is not among their top priority targets. According to TEAMtalk, Elliot Anderson (Nottingham Forest), Carlos Baleba (Brighton), and Adam Wharton (Crystal Palace) are all on Manchester United's priority list for the winter transfer window.

If manager Ruben Amorim can secure one or two of the aforementioned targets, a reunion with Garner would be less urgent. However, the possibility of signing him on a free transfer in the future (in case Garner doesn't renew his contract) still makes this deal noteworthy.

Impact and timeline

January presents an opportunity for Manchester United to strengthen their squad mid-season, while for Everton, it's the time to send a clear message about their plans to retain key players. Garner's future is therefore a hot topic: either sign a new contract for long-term stability, or face the risk of losing him without receiving any transfer fee as his contract nears its end.

Key points

• Everton are pursuing a contract extension with James Garner; his current contract runs until summer 2026.
• Man United are considering bringing Garner back to bolster their midfield options.
• talkSPORT: Aston Villa and Nottingham Forest are interested.
• Manager David Moyes wants to keep Garner, seeing him as a key link in Everton's rebuilding.
• TEAMtalk: Elliot Anderson, Carlos Baleba, and Adam Wharton are Manchester United's priority targets.
• The possibility of leaving on a free transfer if his contract isn't renewed makes Garner's future even more noteworthy.