James Garner has been a key player for Everton this season and has been linked with a move to Newcastle United, but the Blues are determined to keep hold of the midfielder
David Moyes and James Garner celebrate Everton's victory over Brighton & Hove Albion at Hill Dickinson Stadium. Photo by Clive Mason/Getty Images
David Moyes and James Garner celebrate Everton's victory over Brighton & Hove Albion
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Everton's manager David Moyes is adamant about keeping James Garner amid Newcastle United's reported interest in the player.
The Magpies have been linked with a January move for the midfielder as Eddie Howe assesses his options for the second half of the Premier League season.
Moyes, who has used Garner in three different roles this season, praised the 24-year-old's talent last week before Thomas Tuchel selected his England squad for their final World Cup qualifiers, with their spot in next summer's tournament already confirmed.
The Everton boss said: "He's been fantastic since I came in. I didn't realise probably how good he was. He's been so good.
"He's played great in midfield and he's played full-back for me as well. I've said a couple of times recently he's probably getting closer to getting talked about for England because of his performances.
"By the way, England have got so many good players to select from, so for anyone to select a team [is difficult].
"I've been listening to discussions all week about (Phil) Foden and (Jude) Bellingham, etc., but all I'm saying is Jimmy is one of the group of young English midfield players who maybe in the future has a chance of getting a call-up.
"He's done a brilliant job for us, Jimmy, and he's playing very well.."
Garner moved to Everton from Manchester United for an initial £9million on September 1, 2022, a transfer that disappointed numerous senior figures at Old Trafford who held him in high regard.
The Birkenhead-born midfielder has since featured 97 times for the Blues, netting three goals, including a stunning long-range strike that secured a 2-0 victory against Brighton and Hove Albion on 24 August in the first Premier League fixture at Hill Dickinson Stadium, reports the Liverpool Echo.
Football Insider has reported that Newcastle United scouts "have been making regular checks on Garner, whose contract expires next summer," while noting that Everton "do not want to lose him either on a free next summer or for a cut-price fee in January".
The article also suggested Garner had penned a four-year agreement upon joining the Blues, running until 2026.
When questioned about the possibility of offering the player fresh terms if he was indeed entering the final year of his deal during his pre-match press conference ahead of the Aston Villa clash on 13 September, Moyes responded: "I don't know if he's in the last year of his contract. I'm sure there will be a clause in there where we've got him so, I couldn't even answer that question."
Our sister title the Liverpool Echo has learned that there is an option to extend Garner's contract by an additional year, which would alleviate concerns about potentially losing him for free at the end of this season.
It's also understood that despite interest from Newcastle United being far from certain at this point, discussions are underway regarding a new long-term contract for Garner, following similar extensions signed by James Tarkowski and Jordan Pickford last month.