James Garner surprise to strike serious blow to The Friedkin Group’s Everton revolution
The Friedkin Group face a major set back to their Everton reign after the latest news around James Garner’s future.
The English midfielder has become a key performer for David Moyes but his contract is currently set to expire at the end of the season.
After regularly filling in at right-back Everton want to sign a new specialist to keep Garner in central midfield where he has been in excellent form.
But amid negotiations over a new deal at the Hill Dickinson Stadium a surprise development has emerged, with Man United interested in taking Garner back to Old Trafford.
James Garner return to Man United would be symbolic
According to the Daily Mail the Red Devils see the 24-year-old as an affordable option to bring in alongside more major spending on Adam Wharton.
Everton-linked Kobbie Mainoo’s future is up in the air – the England international is keen to leave on loan but Ruben Amorim is unwilling to let anyone leave without replacements arriving in the wake of Bruno Fernandes’ injury – while Casemiro’s own massive contract is running down.
On Merseyside it is reported that the club are eager to get a long-term deal tied up with Garner ahead of the January window opening, when he could be targeted.
The Englishman originally arrived from United three-and-a-half years ago, and his future at the club looks set to be a key measuring stick to judge where Everton are, and where they are headed, since TFG lifted them out of the doom and gloom of the Farhad Moshiri reign.
It is unclear what Garner’s personal priorities are with regards to extended his Toffees stay or potentially returning to where he came through the youth ranks, but should Everton be obliged to let him go against their will it would be a hugely-unwelcome reminder of losing one key player after another to clubs in better positions.
Jarrad Branthwaite and Jack Grealish progress could be lost
The Friedkin takeover ended the financial turmoil of the later Moshiri years, and David Moyes’ return in place of Sean Dyche has seen Everton move from relegation battles to a push for European football.
Lucas Digne, Richarlison, Anthony Gordon and Amadou Onana are just some of the big names that had to be sacrificed in recent seasons, but the club held out strongly to prevent Jarrad Branthwaite following them to the exit.
Man United failed with multiple Branthwaite bids prior to the long-term injury absence this term, and the loan capture of Jack Grealish from Man City in the summer was another key sign of Everton growth under the new owners.
However, if Garner indicates he wants to head back to Man United and the Toffees feel obliged to cash in while they still can it would be a depressing reality check on the club’s place in the food chain, despite the new stadium, and temper the positivity that has grown in the past 12 months.
Everton do have a club-option to extend for another year past this summer so aren’t near crisis point, but want a long-term deal and might have to take a decent bid while it is on the table if he won’t sign.
In light of United’s struggles under Amorim and the Toffees’ growth under Moyes it would be a symbolic blow that could set the project back on Merseyside.
But secure Garner in blue for the foreseeable future and continue the push up the table and it would be more proof that the Friedkins have Everton on the right path.
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