Everton star James Garner on Newcastle shortlist as £100m man in limbo
Everton star James Garner is on Newcastle United's radar this summer.
Eddie Howe's side are looking to bounce back from a dismal campaign, which saw them finish in 12th place.
Garner had an immense season with the Blues, earning calls for him to be named in the England squad.
He was ultimately not selected by Thomas Tuchel despite impressing, but transfer talk has not subsided.
The 25-year-old has been linked to Manchester United but that interest seems to have decreased recently.
The Magpies may end up needed new high-profile players in the engine room and the Blues man may fit the bill.
Why Newcastle want to sign Everton's James Garner
Garner is understood to be on the Magpies' shortlist if they lose Sandro Tonali this summer.
Tottenham are understood to have an £80million bid rejected for the Italian midfielder.
A report from Chronicle Live on Thursday claims that Garner is one of the names that Howe's side are looking at to replace the 26-year-old, who is currently in limbo.
It states that there is a feeling at the St James' Park side that he will leave, but they want £100m to allow an exit.
The 2025 Carabao Cup winners are also looking at Inter Milan's Aleksandar Stankovic and Monaco's Lamine Camara.
This is how Everton can afford to keep Garner - even if mega bid arrives
Everton would be a much worse side if they sold Garner, and they are under no pressure to do so.
He signed a contract extension in January that should see him remain on Merseyside until 2030.
Therefore, the L3 outfit can reject offers as they please, even if the Magpies bid a very high amount with their Saudi owners behind them.
They are not under financial difficulty either, so there is no reason for the Friedkin Group or the recruitment team to wilt to the kind of pressure that the Tyneside team could put on them.
Garner may be swayed by the potential for European football and the money that could be offer, but the Toffees will have to final say.
They can force him to stay, even if he decides that he wants out, although that is a matter for when an official bid is launched, if that even happens.