Nottingham Forest are reportedly stuck waiting for Manchester United's proposed deal with Adrien Rabiot to be finalised before going after young midfielder James Garner.
Garner, who featured 49 times for Steve Cooper's side last season, was a staple of Forest's midfield alongside Ryan Yates as a loanee from United and Forest have shown interest in bringing him back on a permanent deal.
The 20-year-old, who would be competing with the likes of Scott McTominay, Fred, Bruno Fernandes, Christian Eriksen and Donny Van De Beek if he stayed at United, showed promise when he started in a pre-season friendly against Rayo Vallecano and was an unused substitute in the Red Devils opening game of the season, a 2-1 loss to Brighton at Old Trafford.
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If Garner was to join, he would be Cooper's 13th signing of the season and with a few more transfers rumoured, the newly-promoted side's spending spree could continue. According to Dharmesh Sheth of Sky Sports, while there still haven't been any agreements with Rabiot, Garner remains on Cooper's radar.
His tweet said: "Still no agreement on personal terms between Manchester United & Adrien Rabiot. Talks ongoing. Once resolved - either way - United will make decision on James Garner. Nottingham Forest remain interested. Impressed on loan at Forest last season. #Rabiot #JamesGarner #MUFC #NFFC".
It appears as though once the Rabiot deal is either complete or if it fails, United will then make their decision on whether to sell Garner. Even if United did get the deal over the line though, Garner is still unable to return to Forest on another loan season as his parent club have already sent goalkeeper Dean Henderson to Forest.
With Henderson joining, the Reds must now look to make the Garner deal a permanent one - something that, if United bring in a new central midfielder, could be on the cards.
How important is it that Forest get Garner for this season? Let us know in the comments.
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