Everton midfielder James Garner was reportedly a January transfer target for Aston Villa.placeholder image
Everton midfielder James Garner was reportedly a January transfer target for Aston Villa. | Getty Images
It transpires that Aston Villa could have made a surprise move for an Everton gem in January.
Aston Villa ended up having a quiet January transfer window, signing just four players, two of whom were favourites from old.
The Villans kicked off their business with the signing of Brazilian winger Alysson from Gremio in a deal worth around £10 million, before splashing out similar on 17-year-old FC Metz wonderkid Brian Madjo. Villa then secured an £18.5 million deal with Beskitas to bring Tammy Abraham back, before ex-Villa midfielder Douglas Luiz was lured in on loan from Juventus.
Many of the Villa Park faithful mean could - and should - have been done, though financial restrictions once again got in Villa’s way of being competitive in the market. But it could have been a contrasting story had the dominoes fallen slightly differently, as it turns out Villa nearly made an astute move for an Everton star.
Villa were interested in January swoop for Everton gem
As it transpires, Villa held a strong interest in bringing Everton midfielder James Garner to the West Midlands. The Athletic has revealed that Unai Emery was keen on signing Garner, who had six months left on his Everton contract and may have been available for a cut price or for free in the summer.
The Villans are said to have great fondness for Garner’s work rate, versatility and talent but were unable to pursue a deal as he ended up signing a new Everton contract instead. Sources close to the player are said to have been aware of Villa’s interest, however Garner ended up putting pen to paper on a new long-term deal at the Hill Dickinson Stadium anyway.
Garner, who joined Everton from Manchester United in 2022 for around £15 million inclusive of add-ons, has recently been in the conversation for a surprise England call-up. The 24-year-old has become a pivotal player for Everton, predominantly in defensive midfield but also in either full-back role or as a central midfielder.
The former England Under-21 international, who spent two seasons on loan at Nottingham Forest in the Championship before making his move to Everton, is in the top 14 per cent of Premier League midfielders for defensive contributions so far this season. Garner has also contributed two goals and three assists so far in 2025/26.
Tielemans and Barkley to stay longer than expected
In other Villa news, confusion over the duration of Youri Tielemans’ and Ross Barkley’s contract lengths has now been cleared up, with both players’ deals found to have more time left than first thought.
Many of the Villa Park faithful were under the impression that Tielemans’ contract was going to expire in June 2027, prompting concerns that the Belgium international could soon leave for free or in a cut-price deal. In Barkley’s case, many Villa fans thought he was set to leave at the end of the current season.
The truth, it turns out, is different. After doing some digging, The Athletic’s Jacob Tanswell reports that Tielemans’ terms actually expire in June 2028 – a huge boost. Similar can be said for Barkley, with the former England international having an extra year than presumed. Barkley, unless sold, will remain at Villa Park until June 2027.
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