Manchester United have completed the sale of James Garner to Everton, according to Italian journalist Fabrizio Romano.
Garner returned to United’s first team this summer after spending last season away on loan and was with the Red Devils on their pre-season tour.
However, Erik ten Hag has approved his sale after injuries hampered Englishman’s chances to impress in the off-season.
Everton have now completed the signing of the midfielder for a reported £15 million fee and a medical has been carried out while personal terms have also been sorted.
Garner will sign a five-year contract with the Toffees while sell-on and buy-back clauses have also been inserted in the deal.
A United prospect sold cheaply?
The 21-year-old, once considered a bright prospect in the United academy, spent the previous campaign on loan at Nottingham Forest and was a key player in their return to the top flight.
Competition for places coupled with the arrival of Casemiro at United earlier this month has now seen Garner’s time in Manchester come to an end for the time being.
He made his competitive debut for the Red Devils in 2019 and made seven appearances in total.
Having come through the academy and given a strong account of himself in previous seasons out on loan, Garner was expected to either go out on loan to a Premier League club or get a chance under Ten Hag. However, an injury in pre-season limited his chances then and he has not featured for the club at all.
United will happy to get a fee for him, although a player of Garner’s ability should have fetched a higher price.
With Ten Hag likely to bring in another top midfielder next summer and Charlie Savage and Zidane Iqbal waiting in the wings, the sale will ul benefit both club and player.
Low key deadline day at United
Unlike previous seasons, United are set to have a deadline day with little to no fanfare this summer.
They have completed the signings of Antony and goalkeeper Martin Dubravka while reports of a new right-back have been quashed due to United’s inability to move on Aaron Wan-Bissaka.
In terms of outgoings, Hannibal Mejbri recently completed a loan move to Birmingham City while the Blues are also working to sign Tahith Chong on a permanent deal.
Cristiano Ronaldo looks set to remain at the club for the foreseeable future despite his request to leave. Recent links to Napoli have failed to yield anything tangible.
Amad Diallo could be the next to leave the club after Garner with Sunderland keen on signing the winger on a season-long loan.
