Aston Villa are among a host of Premier League clubs keeping tabs on Everton midfielder James Garner ahead of his contract expiry, according to talkSPORT.
The Villans, along with his former club Manchester United and Nottingham Forest, are said to be monitoring Garner’s situation on Merseyside, with Everton hoping to keep the 24-year-old beyond this season.
The in-form midfielder starred in Everton’s surprise 1-0 win at Old Trafford on Monday and has attracted attention from several Premier League clubs after an impressive start to the campaign.
Garner joined the Toffees from United in the summer of 2022 after making only seven senior appearances at Old Trafford.
Aston Villa Keen on James Garner
James Garner celebrates scoring for Everton
According to talkSPORT, Everton have stepped up contract talks with Garner amid growing interest from around the league, as David Moyes has made it clear he does not want to lose the midfielder.
Garner is expected to be next on the list for contract extensions at Goodison Park after Jordan Pickford, James Tarkowski and Jarrad Branthwaite all committed their futures to the club.
Garner has played every minute of Everton’s Premier League campaign so far, scoring once and providing two assists in 12 appearances.
Moyes will have to find a new midfield partner for him in the next three games after Idrissa Gueye was sent off in the win over Manchester United for slapping team-mate Michael Keane.
Garner has mostly operated in midfield this term but has also covered both full-back positions, including three appearances at left-back.
Villa Have a Ross Barkley Decision to Make
Aston Villa midfielder Ross Barkley
Garner joining Villa next summer would represent another former Man United player heading to the West Midlands in recent years, following Marcus Rashford, Jadon Sancho and Victor Lindelof.
Villa also have their own contract call to make, with Ross Barkley’s deal expiring at the end of the season.
The club hold an option to extend the former Chelsea midfielder’s contract by another year, though it remains unclear whether they will trigger it.
Barkley has made six Premier League appearances off the bench this season, scoring once in the 4-0 win over Bournemouth earlier this month.
Villa Could Offload Harvey Elliott
Harvey Elliott
According to GIVEMESPORT senior correspondent Neil Moxley, Villa could send loanee Harvey Elliott back to Liverpool after just four months at the club.
The former England Under-21 international’s future will reportedly be discussed between the two clubs in the new year, with Elliott struggling to settle at Villa Park under Unai Emery.