Everton set to make James Garner announcement after Manchester United transfer interest
Jack Grealish’s interest this week is a huge blow for Everton, but he has not necessarily been Everton’s best player this season.
That honour arguable belongs to James Garner – or possibly fellow midfielder Kiernan Dewsbury-Hall – who have both been brilliant.
Garner was recently linked with a move to Manchester United, the club where he started his career and spent 13 years in total.
David Moyes would have been fearing the worst over Garner, but it appears he had nothing to be worried about all along.
Everton close to announcing new James Garner contract
While it is true Garner’s current deal is due to expire in the summer, Everton had the option to extend that by a further 12 months.
Everton understandably wanted to keep the 24-year-old for much longer than that, though, and that now looks like being a case.
In a report by the Liverpool Echo’s print edition on Friday, it is claimed that talks between Everton and Garner over a new deal at Hill Dickinson Stadium started before Christmas.
It was claimed earlier this week that Garner has now agreed to a new deal at Everton, which it is now reported is set to be made official imminently.
That will serve as great news for the Toffees, with Grealish having been ruled out for Everton for around three months.
Who has statistically been Everton’s best player this season?
Garner certainly has a strong claim for that accolade, having played a part in five goals and offered a whole lot more in central midfield and indeed full-back.
As per Sofascore data, though, summer signing Dewsbury-Hall has statistically been the Toffees’ best player in 2025-26.
Then comes Grealish in third, followed by James Tarkowski, Jordan Pickford and then Michael Keane to complete the top five.
Tying down Garner is therefore massive news for Everton, while Dewsbury-Hall only put pen to paper on a five-year deal last summer.
Fans are understandably desperate for new signings, but working on new deals – as has been the case with Garner – is equally important and keeps the Toffees in strong hands for the future.
Stay up to date this winter with our Everton transfer tracker. Click to see every done deal at Hill Dickinson, plus expert reaction from our team of writers.