A report by The Guardian has claimed that Nottingham Forest head coach Steve Cooper opted against signing James Garner from Manchester United.
The Reds had taken the midfielder on loan for the last 18 months and in May he helped the team win promotion.
It was his delightful ball that led to Levi Colwill putting through his own net against Huddersfield in the play-off final last season.
Some reports claimed that Forest were keen to sign the England under-21 international but United wanted to keep him.
Eventually, Erik ten Hag did give in and sold the player to Everton who paid around £15 million for his services.
Had Untied been willing to sell earlier, it seems almost certain that Forest would have signed him in the summer.
Now, however, a report from The Guardian has claimed that Cooper wanted to pursue other options instead.
That doesn’t seem to make much sense; with Cooper constantly raving about the talented performer last season.
Garner has signed for Everton on a long-term contract but he’s yet to make a start under Frank Lampard.
He’d have surely loved the chance to sign permanent terms at Forest after striking up a rapport with the club’s supporters.
Cooper opted against Garner signing
This one sounds very hard to believe.
Perhaps when Garner became available, Cooper felt that Forest didn’t need another central midfielder.
They’d already signed Lewis O’Brien, Orel Mangala, Cheikhou Kouyate and Remo Freuler during a hectic summer.
The report claims that Cooper rejected the idea of bringing him back when it was suggested by the board, however.
Surely the Forest boss would have wanted to keep his squad from last season together.
As a result, we think this report might be one that needs talking with a pinch of salt.
Garner would have been a quality addition by Forest and there is no way that Cooper would have thought any different.
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