Everton sign Garner from Manchester United

I've got to stop checking every 47 mins.

"In August 2022 Garner was offered to join Everton for a fee of £15 million. Garner is a keen admirer of the gigantic, Merseyside institution as he modelled his footballer role on his hero, Darren Gibson.

On the 31st of August 2022, James Garner changed his phone ringtone to "Spirit of the Blues" which is a widely popular song associated with Everton FC. Garner is a long-time admirer of this classic terrace song."

But where’s our striker please? Need someone to score goals!

Even if he flops, we'll be able to sell him to a Championship club in a couple of years time for a few million back.

Strangely enough I'm really optimistic about the season, even though we haven't won a game.

Presumably Townsend and Godfrey as they're out till New Year. Then I guess Gomes?

We've been unlucky.

I'm off for a head examination just to be on the safe side.

Is this lad any good?

The club are skint, we can't buy Cornet but can buy McNeil, Gana, Garner, Onana and Mauphey.

Where is Garner going to fit in? If he was that good for Forrest why didn't they buy him, they bought everyone else.

Just seems like a random purchase this one.

Or maybe he's just a Maverick ! :-)

One more forward option, Diaz maybe or a wild card we havnt seen coming and for one window it's got to be seen as positive imo.

We need goals not just control of the ball.

decent passer, can score from midfield, and will be a solid player.

our bench yesterday highlighted the need for more players. Onana is young and raw and can't be expected to play every game. Gana cat be expected to play every minute of every game. Same for Iwobi (although he sure will try).

an injury to any of them and we're back with options of Davies and just about that. Allan injury issues and Doucoure too. Gomes just isn't good enough.

good solid signing by looks of it.

really wish we were after Gakbo. Looks a player.

Onana, iwobi, Doucouré, Gana & Garner.

3 from them each week with Davies & Allan as back up.

I suspect Gomes and or Allan may leave, maybe even Davies but warrington offers as much as gomes anyway.

If Allan & gomes left now it would be a good window with a forward in too.

David 27, Yep we all want squad depth but the striker situation must be the priority.

also if he can shoot from outside its good, other than townsend and maybe gordon nobody does that and a good team must count on that resource.

Or maybe we have it and theyve hadnt shown it yet. Who knows.

Still time for the window to close but hell of a window I believe. Strength in depth is the most important thing weve been lacking so this sounds good IMO.

Clap clap to thelwell and lampard. We still need the uncontrolable luck with keepin the troop fresh and fit and then well be alright and maybe fancy some nice cup run.

COYB!

Cant see Keane leaving with mina and Godfrey injured.
Rondon going nowhere till his contracts up.
Allan, gomes & maybe Davies are our real only possible out goings imo.

Gordon has clearly stepped into the Richarlison role, and I don't think we'd have gone for Maupay if there was any better striker available, so I doubt there's another goalscorer coming in this window. Seems like the business is pretty much done.

With Maupay, and now Garner, along with Gordon who has found his shooting boots, as well as Gray chipping in then we do have capability for more goals across the team now.

Now if we get a striker too before the deadline (still convinced on Broja!!) then this will have been an excellent window and Moshiri et al will be judged very positively for the work that they have done

I’d never want to do a deal with an automatic buy back clause so I’m hoping that initial report was inaccurate.
Mind you, I know nothing about this player so a buy-back would be a good indication that United still had some faith he will become world class. Just hope he’s dedicated and a big upgrade on most of the midfielders we’ve had recently.

Why wouldn't you want to give your best players first-team experience in their early 20s, then 'I'll have that back' once he gets good? I would not be happy with that.

How about we grow our own players, rather than develop Man Utds.

Also mate we don't know what the buy-back figure is, it could be £20M, £25M or even £30M.

One thing I have noticed in this transfer window, no club is taking the piss out of Everton.

From skim reading, it seems buy-back fees are much higher than the original sale price.

As Mike Gaynes said and I agree with, this kid was "mustard" in the games I watched him play with Forest.

If we land this kid I think it'll be a 9 out of 10 window. We've overhauled the entire squad and improved. Amazing window.

Nearly as long as waiting for the confirmation as to whether Gueye is coming back!

Even if they set the figure at eg £30m plus, that's still grim. If he becomes a real player, we'd want to keep him, or sell him for double that.

We've essentially bulked the squad up with very average players like McNeil, Tarkowski, Maupay and Garner. Add those to the likes of Patterson, Mykolenko, Gray and Townsend.

None of those would be out of place in the Championship.

It's embarrassing to think that the likes of Brentford are chasing Mudryk at Shakhtar, Southampton are chasing Gakpo at PSV. Young, potentially World Class talents, whilst we're trying to sign a perennial substitute, Samuel Chukwueze?

No doubt this batch will leave for free at the end of their contracts too?

Everton have been weak in that area for many seasons so having a plethora of midfielders doesn't bother me given the demands of the Premier League and how injuries plague Everton.

We know that Gray, Maupay and now Antony Gordon can score goals and maybe they will see us through plus Calvert-Lewin too coming back and adding to the offence.

In suppose the big question is who will be shipped out, if not now then certainly in January as a few of them won't want to be languishing on the bench too much.

That article above alludes to buy-back clauses with specifics about things like a 2 year minimum timescale before they can trigger it. Either way he's a cracking footballer who can do a bit of everything, and Utd fans online seem gutted he's leaving – plus even if he does go back to Utd, we don't lose money on the deal. If anything, we're likely to make money on it.

For me he's a similar profile to Tom Davies, he can pass a bit, dribble a bit, tackle a bit but doesn't do any of them to a super high level (yet). He's possibly a tad quicker than Davies and he does take a very good set piece.

I think he'll be behind Onana, Gueye, Iwobi and Doucoure for the central 2 or 3 spots but he's only 21 and £8M for a strong squad option with potential is sensible business to me.

Why would we try to offload Keane when we have 3 centre-backs out with medium- to long-term injuries?

If we actually get Garner and Gueye over the line, that'll represent an excellent window which has addressed the weaknesses in the side. Yes, we could do with another striker but that'd be a bonus.

Okay, we all know Rondon is pretty limited, and Maupay doesn't score tons, but if we buy another striker, where does he fit in terms of the squad? I've said it already but you can only have 25 players so...

Although another centre-half should be signed. Everton have already lost 3 in the first 2 weeks of the season.

I think we are right in taking a measured approach since this looks to be an inflated striker moment and we could get by with what we've got.

Secondly, and perhaps most importantly – we still don't have a bloody striker….

Maybe he will be the first Everton transfer success from Man Utd.

My son and I watched the playoffs and finals, and we both agreed that Forest's massive weak link was their keeper. We both agreed they'd survive in the Premier League with a different keeper.

They got their keeper, and therefore couldn't keep Garner.

Pretty sure that's how it works, as James alludes to.

If we get Garner and Gueye, then that’s already strengthened our midfield, Gomes and Davies should be nowhere near our match day squad.

I am sure we will bring another striker in, but Guaye, Garner and whatever striker brought in, is a very good window for me.

If we get silly money for Gordon then so be it, if he stays good, if not then use the money wisely.

He's young, he's affordable and, if United have inserted a buy-back clause, he MUST have real potential. On top of that, he gives us an extra option in the middle of the park, that same middle that we have all criticised time after time.

Even if United buy him back in, say, 2/3 years, it means we've had a really good player in our team and we're about to make a profit on him. Surely that's better than the Laughing Stock we've become over the last few years?

(I'd get my coat if it wasn't so hot)

Anyway if all else fails be good for our great escape.

I've been on loan to TW from the Barcelona chat board since 2005, and TW has never acted on its option to buy. I tried to find out why, but my agent isn't taking my calls.

I'm pleased we seem to be getting a more solid midfield in place but I think goals and dynamism up front are still lacking. We haven't replaced Richarlison.

A player like Gakpo who can score and assist frequently whilst having real top class potential would be the cherry on the cake for what's looking a quite decent window. Goals please.

Well, we have to remember it's actually a team game. Some of the best teams ever, and I include Everton teams, had great team players who were not household names. Look no further than our '80s teams

We need strength in depth all over the pitch and, under Lampard and Thelwell finally appear to be getting it. There was really nothing on the bench at Leeds; hopefully at the weekend we will see a difference.

Give them all a chance – and time!

“There was never a priority for a striker until Calvert-Lewin got injured 2 days before the season started, and that started everyone screaming for a striker. “

I respectfully beg to differ.

We have desperately needed a striker since Lukaku departed, the club knew this and did nothing to rectify it. Richarlison was not signed as a striker, he evolved into one out of necessity.

So hopefully we're not choosing Garner over striker talent.

Jerome #68, it is interesting that Forest haven't signed him but have paid £13M for Mangala. Slightly different sorts of players I suppose.

It leaves us with 6 centre-mid players (assuming Gueye joins too) competing for 2 or 3 spots. That seems a bit nuts to me – although I would expect him to settle down as a decent signing over time.

Neither were the title winning teams of the 80s, but that might be an optimistic step too far!

Onto the subject of strikers - I never thought there was any chemistry between Calvert-Lewin and Richarlison, and after all, it is a team game. We have two new players in and Gordon probably going to benefit from more room to play without being secondary to 'stars'.

For the record, I just hope we are lessening in the diving department – I found Richarlison, James and Mina an absolute embarrassment when it came to faking injuries and fouls and found myself shouting at Everton players, which I don't do even when they make a mistake!

No diving please, Everton!

From what I read at the time, Forest were desperate to buy him but Man Utd wouldn't sell – so Forest looked elsewhere.

Since then, Ten Hag has arrived in the Man Utd hot seat and is making all these overtures to Frankie de Jong at Barcelona. So perhaps it is that Garner sees his future elsewhere and has opted for us out of the several clubs that were interested in buying him.

If we get this Garner lad and Gueye too, I'll judge the club now, it's been a really good transfer window. Marcel Brands – look and learn!!!

Looks a real prospect and he played a lot of games last season to help Forest get promoted (44 of a possible 46 league games, plus playoffs).

The minor mystery there is why Forest didn't want and get him back given they have signed 300 players this summer.

They'll be converted and see the light.

Ah Chuck Berry bit easier to say than Chuckwueze. Sorry, I don't know how to pronounce his surname.

Gana Gueye posted a picture from the Titanic Hotel in Liverpool this morning, so he is definitely in the building, as the saying goes.

Also, the deal for Garner sorted so should make for a lot of photo shoots tomorrow and doubt whether any other club will unveil 3 players, could even be 1 more as well.

"Just got home from work. Is Gana “still on the verge”?"

Yeah he's on the vinagre stroke.

I believe that Lukaku left in 2017 so it does not seem that there has been any effort for 5 yreas that makes this season any different, except with Calvert-Lewin's injury we had only Rondon and that was when the shit hit the fan.

Now for Brereton Diaz please.

Obligation - maybe. £39m I don't believe for a moment.

OK, guess I might be wrong.

Get this Villarreal lad on a loan with obligation for next season to be able throw in a bid for Diaz tomorrow. £10-12 million with add-ons should do it.

I don't like those odds.

“The Bobble” has just said on the latest View from the Bullens episode that we aren't close to signing a forward player, which is pretty worrying as another striker or inside forward was most important imo.

He was one of the first players Cooper tried to buy, but was told he wasn't for sale. Ten Hag came in, not in his plans; Forest have signed 30 players since!

He can definitely do a job for us, was a revelation last season, and can take free kicks as well, which is a bonus.

Allan, Gomes, Onana, Davies, Doucouré, Iwobi, Geuye – just to name Seven?

Admittedly Lampard didn't sign most of them but we seem to be unable to get rid – not surprising, I guess, if they've not been good enough and are on big contracts. Also, if 5-2-3 is the go-to formation, how does that work with 7 centre-midfielders in the squad?

The injuries hopefully mean we're forced to play 4 at the back which will allow at least 3 centre-midfielders to play in the short term.

Still looking out for that fabled striker...

As it stands, Haaland at Man City is going to score more goals this season than the entire Everton team. I think he has 7 already.

I would drive Gomes myself to any club who wants him. I know them 3 are hanging on but we have cleared a few out... Sigurdsson, Delph, Gbamin, Dele, Tosun. If Gomes went, that's a forest of dead wood cleared in one window.

Andre Gomes has attracted minor interest from Europe, but he & his agent have told Everton that he is happy with his current position at the club, despite Frank Lampard & Kevin Thelwell making it very clear that he is not part of their plans.

If Lampard is hoping that Calvert-Lewinwill suddenly turn into a goal-machine when he is fit, we are doomed! He needs competition (forget Rondon). Maupay is not the answer!

Disagree on him doing well. He should've listened to Donald Pleasance and left him behind. Don said he would be a hinderance. Then James could have given Gerry the run around for longer and perhaps had less troops available to kill Richard Attenborough.

Good performance from Garner though, even if the character he played made mistakes.

Quite right, but that doesn't mean it wasn't a priority, just that the club was remiss in not making his replacement an urgent necessity.

What other player has got close to him in goals scored since he left?
Absolutely a priority in my view.

Everton need a set of strikers who know where the goal is and who provide an end product for every game.

How very dare you steal my thunder! See my post @21, got those jokes in first, my agent is furious and will be contacting you in due course! :-)

I bow to your superior knowledge. I was wrong

Christy #120

I also think you are right.

Bruno Ganz style

What about Rocky will he be coming with him too?

Nope, zilch. I feel I'm wasting my remaining days checking the Everton website, approximately every hour!

It looks like it'll be tomorrow, now. I should know better as it's usually at the death on the final day.

I don't know enough about Garner, but in line with Lampards rebuild, he's young a young prospect who gives us options. Add our other targets before the deadline and we have done decent business.

I have never seen Garner played before, so if he merely turns out to be a Championship level player, our downside is covered and he can easily (compared to the deadwoods in our team over the last 6 years) be sold to other teams (notwithstanding the 5-year contract).

As long as he is more dependable than Gibson and more committed and consistent than Schneiderlin, as well as is good enough for Frank not to play Davies, I'll be very happy.

(I trust he'll turn out better than Cleverley too!)

While I cannot claim to fully understand how these things work, I imagine the player himself would need to agree to a return. If he is loving life as a blue, he may not wish to re-join the Old Trafford circus…

Agree about Gomes, just like Tosun, Delph and of course Rondon not going anywhere till his contract is finished. But even getting the deadwood out of the dressing room is a positive. If they not getting near team, it's just negativity draining the energy.

I would say not many left to go now, Gomes, Rondon, Davies … maybe Allan and Keane who probably will stay because of centre-back injuries. That's why I have respect for Dele Ali. He could've sat it out like Gomes, Tosun etc, but the lad wants to play.

These players have drained all the energy and desire from our sqaud for the last 4 or 5 years, breeding negativity and complacency. Sucking the desire from the team as they knew that they were getting the best wages they were ever going to get. Gomes has had 4 years on £100k per week it's £20M in wages for what? 1 goal 4 assists.

I've always thought player contracts should be incentivised. So say Year 1 you get £60k if you hit targets, Year 2 you get 70k, rising to the level they perform at.
I know that ship has sailed and we are competing with other clubs offering big contracts too.

Hopefully I can see a huge change in the players we have signed: younger, hungrier, points to prove, national teams they want to break into still with value to add to what we have paid.

I'm now excited to see the next 2 - 3 Windows with Thelwell doing the business, because, IMO, it's been a positive first one for him.

He reminds me of a Winks or Gomes midfielder. Tries to play simple, nice tidy football but very one-dimensional.

Lacks pace, physicality, can't tackle and rarely scores.

I'd rather Dendoncker anyday.

Why?

Why Nottingham Forest retain glimmer of hope in James Garner transfer pursuit

For a club who are skint, it's a baffling signing. Yes, sign him if we are hoovering up as much talent as we can with money no object, but that fee could've been added to the £20 million we were prepared to pay for Pedro to get us a better striker.

I know it's all instalments and length of contract etc but I'm talking headline numbers. Still he's here now and will get our full support.

They must I guess see something in him that we don't already possess, I hope so.
It's up to him to impress in training because I don't see him making the team otherwise.

Don't rule out us still getting shot of Allan, the Chinese and Saudi windows are still open. The Turkish and US ones might be as well? I think there is something fishy about Frank's reluctance to use him.

That being said, I think the mid-term plan is to blood Garner into the team gradually this season but giving him some minutes and seeing how he does. I think eventually a midfield three of him and Onana either side of Gueye is the plan.

Iwobi might take Gray's place and be allowed to drift more into central roles? I'm only hypothesising and probably know nothing about it but anyway that's where my head is at right now. Otherwise, why sign him? I certainly think he's a talent.

However, we've got a long season ahead and Allan and Garner, give Frank more options, should we have any injuries or suspensions.