Sunderland could face competition from Preston North End and Wigan Athletic to sign the 18-year-old.
Sunderland are among the clubs being credited with an interest in the Manchester United midfielder James Garner. The Sun reports Sunderland are looking at Garner ahead of the January transfer window, but claims that two Championship sides – Preston North End and Wigan Athletic – are ready to move.
Garner made his Manchester United debut against Crystal Palace earlier this year and is part of Ole Gunnar Solskjaer’s squad which has travelled to Serbia ahead of Thursday night’s Europa League encounter with Partizan Belgrade.
But a loan move would significantly enhance the teenager’s chances of playing senior football, with Solskjaer reluctant to sanction anything other than a temporary exit, according to The Sun.
The newspaper claims Manchester United see Garner as ‘the next Michael Carrick’ – the former Red Devils and England midfielder who grew up supporting Sunderland’s north-east rivals, Newcastle United.
Sunderland recently appointed Phil Parkinson as manager and the Lancastrian is likely to want to add to the squad he inherited from Jack Ross when the transfer window reopens.
But with rivals such as Preston – who are currently among the Championship’s promotion contenders – and Wigan potentially competing from the division above, the Mackems could have their work cut out convincing both Manchester United and Garner to move to Wearside.
Sunderland, Preston, Wigan or neither – what would be the best move for Garner?
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