James Garner talks to intensify behind the scenes at Everton after events at City Ground
James Garner played a big part as Everton earned an impressive victory away at Nottingham Forest on Tuesday evening.
Everton were 2-0 winners at the City Ground against former manager Sean Dyche’s Forest side to climb up to eighth in the Premier League.
David Moyes was without a whole lineup of players due to various reasons, but Manchester United target Garner stepped up – as did each of his fit-and-available teammates.
Garner has been described as the most underrated player in the English top flight, but his performances are enough to have earned him links with United of late.
And after his latest display in an Everton kit, it may well be that the Toffees now ramp up contract talks with the versatile midfielder.
David Moyes desperate for James Garner to agree new contract
Garner opened the scoring for Everton at the City Ground and then set up Thierno Barry for the Toffees’ second of the contest.
As highlighted by the Sofascore graphic below, Garner has stood out in both fixtures against Forest of late.
Moyes’ love for Garner is clear and that affection was also on display at full-time on Tuesday as the Scotsman embraced a number of players.
As pointed out by Joe Thomas for the Liverpool Echo, Moyes is “desperate” for Garner to agree a new contract at Hill Dickinson Stadium.
And what Garner produced against Forest “will no doubt be a catalyst for an intensification of the ongoing talks between the club and player’s camp”.
If they were not beforehand, those high up at Everton will now be fully away of the importance of tying Garner down as soon as possible.
What Garner’s said about contract situation at Everton
Ruben Amorim appeared to play down links with Garner earlier this week, but there is no doubt fellow Premier League clubs will be showing an interest.
Garner has a contract on Merseyside that runs until the end of next season, meaning Everton may be forced into selling if fresh terms are not agreed in the next six months or so.
| James Garner | Everton 2025-26 |
| Games played | 19 |
| Goals | 2 |
| Assists | 3 |
Speaking earlier this month, the 24-year-old said he “hasn’t thought much” about his new contract, adding that he is simply taking things on a week-to-week basis.
That is slightly concerning from Everton’s perspective, as the uncertainty does nobody any good, but the hope is that talks do indeed now intensify over the coming days.
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