Nottingham Forest are reportedly considering a late transfer move for Everton midfielder James Garner. The club's interest in the former loanee comes as they seek to strengthen their ranks before tonight's deadline.
Garner spent two loan spells at the City Ground, endearing himself to supporters during the 2021/22 promotion campaign. He moved to Everton permanently after those loans and has since earned England recognition, even being considered for the World Cup squad. Football Insider believes Forest are weighing a late swoop, though a deal is considered highly unlikely at this late stage. Any move for the 25-year-old would likely cost over £50 million.
Central midfield has been a difficult area for Nottingham Forest to reinforce this summer. The departure of star player Elliot Anderson has left a void in the squad's ability to dictate tempo. James McAtee has been deployed in an attempt to replicate that quality. Garner's profile, as a versatile and dynamic midfielder, fits the need. His previous connection with the club and its fans makes him an attractive, if ambitious, target. England manager Thomas Tuchel has previously highlighted Garner's qualities, comparing him to a top-level operator.
Thomas Tuchel said: "England boss Thomas Tuchel compared the versatile performer to Real Madrid player Federico Valverde previously to ESPN."
The pursuit comes as Nottingham Forest look to end the transfer window in better shape than they started it in June. Their search for midfield reinforcements has seen other targets slip away. Everton rejected Forest's advances for Harrison Armstrong earlier in the window. The club could now move for a teammate of Armstrong's following that failed bid. The squad's needs are clear as they prepare for the challenges of the Premier League season.
Nottingham Forest begin the 2026/27 campaign sitting 15th in the Premier League table. They have taken one point from their opening two matches, with a record of zero wins, one draw, and one loss. Their recent form reads DL. The team has scored two goals but conceded three, giving them a minus one goal difference. They already find themselves five points behind early leaders Manchester City. This context shows the importance of adding quality before the window shuts.
| Statistic | Value |
|---|---|
| League Position | 15th |
| Points | 1 |
| Goal Difference | -1 |
| Points Behind Leaders | 5 |
Attention will quickly turn to on-pitch matters once the transfer deadline passes. Nottingham Forest's next fixture is a home match against Tottenham Hotspur on September 5th. Spurs currently sit 20th in the table, making it a significant early-season encounter for both clubs. A positive result at the City Ground could provide a platform to build upon. Fans can track the team's upcoming schedule on our fixtures page. The match against Tottenham presents an immediate opportunity to improve their league standing.
