James Garner is attracting high-profile interest from Premier League clubs this summer, forcing Everton to brace for offers for the midfield star.
Garner, 25, has established himself as one of the Toffees’ most important players this season and has been a vital part of their success under David Moyes.
The midfielder’s appearances for England during the international break have heightened interest in his signature, with clubs likely to check his availability.
However, former Man United chief scout Mick Brown said that Everton have no plans to lose Garner and will rebuff any advances.
The club worked hard to agree terms over a new deal for the midfielder in January and will not allow him to leave just six months later as Everton step up their transfer plans.
Which clubs are interested in signing Garner?
Brown said on 5 April that Aston Villa are interested in signing Garner and have been keeping tabs on his performances since earlier this season.
Despite the initial surge of interest before he signed a new deal at the Hill Dickinson Stadium, it has not significantly deterred watching clubs.
| James Garner | Everton Stats 2025-26 |
| Appearances | 34 |
| Starts | 34 |
| Minutes Played | 3084 |
| Goals | 3 |
| Assists | 6 |
James Garner’s stats for Everton in 2025-26. (via Transfermarkt)
Despite that, Everton are set to place a significant price tag on the midfielder, whose new contract is set to keep him on Merseyside until at least 2030.
“Everton aren’t going to let Garner go easily,” Brown said.
“It’s been a strong season, but they have to build on that; they can’t just be happy with what they’ve got and where they are now.
“That means keeping hold of their best players and adding quality around them, so letting somebody like Garner leave isn’t part of their plans.
“There’s a lot of interest in him, so they’ll be bracing for offers, but they won’t be entertaining them.
“Moyes will want him to stay and become a key part of the team long-term; that’s why they gave him a new contract not long ago.
“So they’re in a strong position to keep hold of him unless they’re made an offer they can’t refuse, but I would be surprised to see him leave.”
David Moyes makes new transfer plans at Everton
Alongside Moyes’ ambitions of keeping Garner at the club long-term, he is looking to add to his squad and strengthen after what has been a strong season.
Everton are currently sitting eighth in the Premier League and are on course to qualify for a European competition, with just two points separating them from sixth.
Brown said last month that Moyes is playing a key role for Everton behind the scenes and is leading their transfer plans as well as their on-pitch progress.
Everton are determined to strengthen their squad long-term and to build around their key players, which also means keeping them at the club.
They are unlikely to be in the business of strengthening rivals while losing key players, with interest from Aston Villa likely to be dismissed.
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