Everton: James Garner contract has 'sent the right signals' to his teammates

Everton's recent move to extend James Garner's contract has "sent the right signals" to the rest of their squad, sources have told Football Insider.

There is a feeling within the camp at the Hill Dickinson Stadium that the Toffees are a club on the up, and there is excitement among the players as to what could be built over the coming seasons.

Garner penned the extension back in January to reaffirm his commitment to the project that David Moyes is building, and sources say that it has had a positive effect on the rest of the first-team squad.

The Merseysiders are still in contention to secure European football in the final weeks of the season, and could even find themselves in the Champions League next term.

Everton have their transfer plans in place for the summer, with The Friedkin Group keen to build on the upwards trajectory that has been established in 2025-26.

James Garner contract hands Everton security

Football Insider recently revealed that Everton are "relaxed" over Garner's future, despite strong interest from Aston Villa ahead of this summer's transfer window.

The Toffees are not willing to entertain any offers for the midfield star, and are confident that they have gained a significant amount of security from the new deal.

They are hopeful of being able to match the 25-year-old's ambitions within the game in the next few years, and they have already made strides towards taking themselves to the next level as a team.

It has now become clear that the rest of the squad have been buoyed by the statement of tieing Garner down to a new deal, as there is a feeling within the group that the club are capable of keeping hold of their best players.

Moyes has turned their fortunes around drastically since he returned to the club, and the campaign could even end with the club qualifying for Europe for the first time since 2017-18.

They are just four points behind fifth-placed Liverpool at the moment, with that spot also highly likely to earn a Champions League place for next term.

Toffees 'almost certain' to fail UEFA tests next season

Former Manchester City financial advisor Stefan Borson told Football Insider last week that Everton are "almost certain" to fail UEFA tests if they qualify for European football next season.

The football finance expert believes that the Toffees' latest accounts indicate that they would have failed PSR had they not sold their women's team, and he expects that would have a knock-on effect when it comes to UEFA's football earnings test.

Borson outlined that Newcastle, Chelsea and Aston Villa have all failed to pass the ruling in recent years, and have been issued with fines as a result.

Everton are now likely to be facing the same fate if they do secure a European place, which would put something of a downer on what would otherwise be a very positive achievement.