Credit: Imago
Wed 6 May 2026 14:00, UK
Everton must still prepare for the eventuality of James Garner leaving the summer despite his brand-new deal on Merseyside.
The England international has made an incredible impact in the Premier League this term, earning calls for the midfielder to be in the 2025-26 Premier League Team of the Season.
Signed for just £9million in the summer of 2022, the 25-year-old has emerged as an absolute bargain, becoming the Toffees’ backbone of the squad, as well as notching three goals and seven assists.
Understandably, Premier League clubs are interested in Garner, with the talented midfielder being tipped for a big-money move at the end of the season, even with his new contract running until 2030.
💸 Everton Transfer News 💸
Get the latest recruitment inside track from the Hill Dickinson Stadium: exclusive updates on the pursuit of Liam Delap, the Friedkin Group’s summer budget, and Jack Grealish’s permanent future.
VISIT THE EVERTON TRANSFER HUBJames Garner is expected to leave Everton this summer
Mick Brown told Football Insider last month that Nottingham Forest are eyeing up Garner once again, having had him at the City Ground on loan for 18 months between January 2021 and June 2022.
MORE FOOTBALL INSIDER STORIES
The Reds are likely to face competition from some of the bigger names in the division, already being linked with a move to Old Trafford, as Manchester United search for a Casemiro replacement.
Garner has the potential to rise straight to the top, with the Red Devils clearly regretting their decision to allow the 25-year-old to leave in the summer of 2022.
James GarnervsGabriel Sara3144Minutes played18402Goals57Assists449Chances created5639%Shot accuracy46%0.49%Successful dribbles per 900.83%1.89Successful tackles per 900.780.31Blocks per 900.340.37Possession won in final 3rd per 900.68*League stats only [FotMob]
The Toffees are clearly braced for interest in their star midfielder, and plans are already appearing to take shape at the Hill Dickinson Stadium in case of an emergency at the end of this season.
Gabriel Sara is the perfect replacement on Merseyside
According to 343’s Ali Naci Kucuk, Aston Villa and Tottenham are both set to challenge Everton for Gabriel Sara’s signature, with the possibility of the player getting into Brazil’s squad for the World Cup.
The 26-year-old has experience back in England, having featured for Norwich City across two campaigns, where he accumulated 96 appearances, as well as two major honours in the Championship.
💥 SON DAKİKA | Ali Naci Küçük: “Gabriel Sara’nın transfer olabileceğini düşünüyorum. Premier Lig’den Aston Villa, Everton ve Tottenham’ın oyuncuya net bir şekilde ilgisi var. Gabriel Sara, Dünya Kupası kadrosunda da yer alırsa kulüp de buradan karlı çıkar. Arsenal’in Sara için…
— 343 (@343_digital) May 5, 2026
View Tweet
With six goals and five assists this season, Sara is very much a threat in the final third, like Garner, all while putting in huge tackles in front of his own net and protecting the defenders behind him.
If the Toffees are to lose their star midfielder, going all-in for the Galatasaray star’s signature would make total sense this summer, but any deal is unlikely to come cheap with the Turkish giants.
🔵 Everton FC Master Hub 🔵
The definitive digital directory for the Toffees. Track the Friedkin era, Finch Farm fitness updates, and the transition to the New Everton Stadium at Bramley-Moore Dock.
Injury Hub
Out: Jack Grealish (Foot)
Doubt: S. Coleman (Knock)
Next Manager Hub
Boss: David Moyes
Status: Secure (Pushing Europe)
Finance Hub
Revenue: £187m (2023-24)
Debt: Restructured/Cleared