Everton agree £15m fee for Man Utd’s James Garner

Everton have agreed a £15m fee with Manchester United for midfielder James Garner, as Frank Lampard says Anthony Gordon is “too important” to sell before Thursday’s transfer deadline.

A deal for 21-year-old Garner, who spent time on loan at Nottingham Forest last season, is progressing well and should be finalised before Thursday’s 11pm deadline.

Garner joined the Man Utd academy at U8 level before progressing through the ranks. He made his first-team debut in February 2019 at the age of 17, coming on as a substitute against Crystal Palace.

He was sent on loan to Watford in September 2020, but was recalled in January 2021 after falling out of favour with new coach Xisco Munoz. He spent the second half of the 2020/21 season on loan at Nottingham Forest.

Garner re-joined Forest on a season-long loan for the 2021/22 campaign, helping the club back into the Premier League after winning the Championship play-off final.

The midfielder has also represented England at youth level, making his U21 debut in September 2021.

Everton manager Frank Lampard says Anthony Gordon is ‘too important’ to the club for them to sell him during this transfer window

Gordon will not be leaving Everton this summer despite strong interest from Chelsea.

The Everton hierarchy have been resolute in their determination to keep the talented 21-year-old at Goodison Park, despite two strong bids from Chelsea, which were both flatly rejected.