£15m man yet to make a Premier League start this season since Tottenham failed with bid

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Tottenham failed with a bid to sign James Garner back in August as Antonio Conte attempted to bolster his midfield.

The England Under-21 international caught the eye of Spurs and the Italian after helping Nottingham Forest achieve promotion to the Premier League, during a stunning loan spell from Manchester United.

Eventually, it was Everton who won the race to sign Garner, fending off Tottenham and others to strike a £15m deal with Manchester United.

However, the 21-year-old’s season has not gone to plan since Spurs failed with their bid, which was first revealed by Alan Nixon.

What’s the story?

Well, as we approach the end of February, Garner is still yet to start a Premier League game for Everton.

The Birkenhead-born midfielder has only made six Premier League appearances for the Toffees so far this term, with all of those coming as a substitute.

Garner could also have a relegation on his CV soon – Everton currently find themselves 16th in the Premier League, one point above the bottom three.

In fairness, the Everton No.37 has struggled with a back injury since the middle of December, although he now looks to have a mountain to climb in terms of getting into the starting XI, as Sean Dyche settles on an effective midfield trio of Amadou Onana, Idrissa Gueye and Abdoulaye Doucoure.

We wouldn’t exactly say Tottenham will feel they’ve dodged a bullet – if Garner can’t get regular starts for one of the Premier League’s worst sides this season, we doubt he would’ve had much fun at Spurs either.

Tottenham missing out on Garner has given Sarr a chance

Had Tottenham been successful in their bid to sign Garner, it is interesting to think about how Pape Matar Sarr’s season may have turned out.

The Senegal international was recently given his big break for Spurs with a start against AC Milan in the Champions League Round of 16, where he proceeded to deliver a Man of the Match display inside the San Siro.

The 20-year-old’s chance came following injuries to Yves Bissouma and Rodrigo Bentancur, while Pierre-Emile Hojbjerg was suspended.

Had Conte signed Garner, then it is likely that Sarr would have been loaned out, and he may have been forced to wait much longer for a chance at Tottenham had that been the case.