Everton midfielder James Garner is attracting widespread interest ahead of the January transfer window.
James Garner has enjoyed a really productive start to the Premier League season, and David Moyes believes he should be considered for the England squad.
“He’s been fantastic since I came in,” Moyes said earlier this month. “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.”
Garner’s form has alerted Newcastle United, and now there are two more Premier League clubs eyeing a move for the Everton midfielder.
Everton midfielder James Garner.
Photo by Michael Regan/Getty Images
Aston Villa and Nottingham Forest join race to sign Everton’s James Garner
After an impressive start to the season, Everton are in talks to renew Garner’s contract, which is due to expire next summer.
Negotiations are believed to have been ongoing for well over a month, but so far, there has been no breakthrough.
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Now, according to Pete O’Rourke, Premier League duo Aston Villa and Nottingham Forest are keeping tabs on Garner’s situation.
Forest had Garner on loan during the 2021/22 season, which was the year they gained promotion to the top-flight via the play-offs.
That season, the former England under-21 international netted four goals whilst laying on a commendable 10 assists, so he’s thought of fondly at the City Ground.
David Moyes has hinted James Garner has a secret contract clause
From an outside perspective, it looks as though Everton are at serious risk of losing Garner on a free transfer next summer.
However, speaking back in September, Moyes appeared to let slip that Everton may hold an option to extend Garner’s deal.
“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,” the Scotsman explained.
“We don’t go into clauses,” added Everton’s head of media Andy Neid.
Even if that is the case, the Toffees will be desperate to tie Garner down to a long-term contract as his stock continues to rise.
If he were on a lengthy deal, the 24-year-old could be worth in excess of £40m in today’s market, and that could increase dramatically with an England call-up.