Keith Wyness: Everton star James Garner backed to agree deal soon after trio swoop
James Garner has started the season in great form at Everton but his future at the Hill Dickinson Stadium is now in doubt.
Garner’s current deal expires in the summer, but there is reportedly a one-year extension clause in the 24-year-old’s contract.
The midfielder joined the Toffees back in the summer of 2022, making the move from Nottingham Forest for a reported fee of around £9million.
Everton are reportedly desperate to agree a new deal with Garner and keep him at the club, but they could be forced to fend off some interest in January.
James Garner’s Everton future revealed
Last week (12 November), Football Insider revealed that Newcastle United are keeping tabs on Garner as his contract negotiations drag on.
However, Everton’s former chief Keith Wyness – who served as CEO at Goodison Park between 2004 and 2009 and now runs a football consultancy advising elite clubs – believes that his old side will eventually tie down the Englishman to a new deal.
Speaking on the new edition of Football Insider’s Inside Track podcast, Wyness insisted that Garner’s contract situation will get resolved as Moyes really rates the midfielder.
Wyness added that although there will be interest in the former Manchester United man, some of the rumours right now could just be agent talk, trying to give the player an upper hand in negotiations.
He told Football Insider‘s Inside Track podcast: “I think there’ll be interest. I think right now he’s getting his contract renegotiated. So, isn’t it a coincidence that all of a sudden his agent puts out interest from all these other clubs? It’s the same old story. We can expect it.
“But look, Garner has always had a lot of interest. When he left Man United and went on loan to Forest, he was very well thought of there. He’s a good player. He’s a very good, honest, decent Premier League player.
“He’s done a lot for Moyes in terms of versatility and I know that Moyes really rates him, really likes him, and I think James is happy there. His contract will get resolved. He’ll be part of the squad going forward.
“I don’t think his agent has to do this to get the job done, but I’m afraid that they’ve got to try and show the player they’re doing things.
“Sometimes they just go a bit too far. I think everybody knows that James is going to get what he wants anyway. So I expect him to be longer term at Everton, no problem at all.”
Everton face more interest in James Garner
Meanwhile, Aston Villa and Nottingham Forest have joined Newcastle in the hunt for Garner, sources have told Football Insider.
Eddie Howe’s side are looking to strengthen their midfield options and feel that the Englishman would be the right player to bring in.
However, the Magpies could face competition, as sources say that Villa and Forest have now registered their interest in Garner, 24, ahead of the January transfer window.
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