Everton may well be breathing a sigh of relief over Manchester United moving for Youri Tielemans.
After David Ornstein’s initial call, it’s being widely reported today that United are in advanced talks to land the Belgian midfielder from Aston Villa.
The Red Devils are set to pay £35 million – the value of his release clause.
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It is a move that has rather come out of the blue, but with Villa moving for Johan Manzambi – who wowed for Switzerland at the World Cup – his exit perhaps doesn’t come as too much of a surprise.
And the news may well be welcomed by Everton, following persistent links to James Garner.
Everton can breathe easier over James Garner as Man United move for Youri Tielemans and Andrey Santos
United have needed midfield recruits for some time now.
Casemiro has left the club, but the Red Devils have long needed fresh impetus.
After failing to sign the likes of Ederson, Manu Kone and Aurelien Tchouameni, they have now moved for Tielemans.
And this will surely be welcomed by Everton, with James Garner having also frequently been tipped as a potential signing for United (Daily Mail).
Garner, of course, is a product of United’s academy. He left them in 2022 to sign for the Toffees, after a couple of loan spells with Watford and Nottingham Forest.
Garner has since blossomed into a top Premier League midfielder and won Everton’s Player of the Season award for 2025/26.
He also broke into the England squad in March, and could count himself unlucky to miss out on the final World Cup squad.
United would surely have been looking at him, amid their search for new midfielders, given how good and consistent he was for Everton, not to mention how versatile he was as well.
But their signing of Tielemans surely means they won’t come calling now. Especially with United also reportedly agreeing a deal for Andrey Santos last week.
That’s two new midfielders in, suggesting Everton can relax about United trying to re-sign Garner.
Obviously, Garner did sign a new contract with Everton back in January, which potentially points to a long stay at the club. But new contracts have meant less and less over the years, and United could easily have come in with a large bid.
It’s not out of the question that another club could still do that.
But hopefully Everton will not lose Garner and he can help spearhead another European push this coming season.
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