Chelsea’s shock late move for Everton midfielder James Garner failed. But, new reports reveal how close the deadline day shocker really was.
Chelsea
Full name: Chelsea Football Club Nickname: The Blues Founded: 10 March 1905 Ground: Stamford Bridge Owner: BlueCo Chairman: Todd Boehly Manager: Xabi Alonso League: Premier League Season 2025-26: 10th position Website: chelseafc.com Chelsea Football Club is one of the most… Read More about CHELSEA
Chelsea made a last minute push for Everton midfielder James Garner, as per latest transfer news. However, the Merseyside club shut the door firmly on any late offer.
Chelsea’s secret move for James Garner
Chelsea had drawn up a shortlist of midfield targets as the transfer window entered its final hours. It was all aimed at replacing Enzo Fernandez, who was heading to Manchester City in a deal worth a club record £125m. Among the names on that list sat a player who had been kept out of the headlines for most of the window, turned out to be Everton’s James Garner.
The Blues’ boss Xabi Alonso pushed hard for the move because Garner has plenty of experience in Premier League football. He is comfortable in central midfield but can also slot into right-back when needed. This move could have given the west London side an extra flexibility in a squad already packed with attacking talent.
Chelsea reportedly tabled an offer worth £65m for Garner, as reported by talkSPORT. That is a huge jump from his current market value, which sits closer to €45m. The bid showed just how much the Blues wanted a ready-made Premier League player rather than bringing in an unproven name from abroad.
Garner has been in outstanding form last season, starting all 38 league matches for Everton That helped earn him his first England call up as well. He also chipped in with 2 goals and 7 assists, ranking him fifth in the league for assists. This is proof that Alonso’s interest was based on solid current form.
Garner’s 2025/26 stats at Everton, as per FOTMOB:
Competitions Matches Goals Assists Defensive Contributions Chances Created
Premier League 38 2 7 458 56
FA Cup 1 1 0 12 1
EFL Cup 2 0 0 8 2
Why Everton refused to even discuss a deal
The Toffees made their stance clear almost immediately once word of Chelsea’s interest reached Hill Dickinson Stadium. The club had no intention of discussing so late in the window, especially over a player who has become central to their midfield plans. Garner signed a long term deal at Everton and has grown into one of the most consistent performers in the squad.
Losing a player of that value on deadline day, with almost no time to find a replacement, would have left a serious gap in Everton’s plans. The club’s decision shows a wider shift in how mid table PL sides now operate. They are holding firm against bigger clubs rather than cashing in under pressure. England international status and his versatility across midfield and defence only strengthened Everton’s resolve to keep him at the club for the long-term.
Liverpool keen on another Chelsea target
Chelsea found themselves dealing with another transfer headache. The west London club had believed they secured a £47m deal for Monaco midfielder Lamine Camara, only for the French club to walk away from a written agreement at the last moment. That decision has left the Blues board quite furious.
Now, Liverpool have entered the picture, contacting Camara’s camp about a possible move next summer. With both deals falling apart on deadline day, Chelsea’s midfield rebuild looks set to continue well into the next transfer window.
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