"Mentioned to me...": Phil Hay drops big Leeds transfer claim, supporters will love it - opinion

Phil Hay has dropped an update on reported Leeds United transfer target James Garner.

In recent comments made on The Phil Hay Show, the titular journalist revealed that he has been told the Nottingham Forest loanee is a player on Victor Orta’s list of summer transfer targets.

Previous reports have suggested that Manchester United – the defensive midfielder’s parent club – could be willing to sanction the 21-year-old’s departure in the coming months, as Erik ten Hag is targeting the signing of a player in the England U21 international’s position this summer – with Leeds’ Kalvin Phillips thought to be a £60m option for the Dutchman.

Regarding the Whites’ interest in the youngster, Hay said: “James Garner, who’s been at Forest on loan from Man United, is somebody who’s been mentioned to me a couple of times as somebody they’d like.”

Considering just how exciting a prospect Garner quite clearly is, in addition to the fact that Phillips has been heavily linked with a big-money move away from Elland Road this summer, it is easy to see why Orta would be interested in a move for the 21-year-old ahead of the club’s 2022/23 campaign.

Indeed, over his 41 Championship appearances this season, the £6.3m-rated talent has been in exceptional form for Steve Cooper’s side, scoring four goals, registering eight assists and creating seven big chances for his teammates, as well as taking an average of 1.1 shots and making 2.0 key passes per game.

The £20k-per-week midfielder has also impressed in metrics more typical of his position, making an average of 1.4 interceptions, 1.8 tackles, 0.9 clearances and winning 3.9 duels – at a success rate of 53% – per fixture.

These returns have seen the player who Trevor Sinclair compared to David