Everton midfielder James Garner is reportedly in talks with the club about extending his current contract, which is set to end in June 2026.
But well-plugged-in Everton inside El Bobble just indicated that Garner and the club have opened talks for a new deal to keep him on Merseyside for the near future. He notes that the deal isn't done, but there's "confidence the midfielder will commit his long term future to the club."
Garner has been a key player for Everton this season, having played in his preferred central midfield position while filling in a both left and right back when called upon. Manager David Moyes has been effusive in his praise of the England U21 international, even going so far as to suggest that Garner's versatility could earn him a call-up to the senior England side in the future.
Moyes and the club clearly value Garner, as they've said time and time again that they'll rebuff any clubs who may come in for the player during the upcoming January transfer window. The plan all along, it seems, was to work out a way for Garner to stay.
The performances have been good for Garner this season, and it feels fairly clear that the ability to play multiple positions is his strong suit, although he is best suited as a midfielder next to a ball-winner like Idrissa Gana Gueye.
Garner's relative youth helps out a great deal here as well, as he won't even turn 25 until March of next year, making him the ideal age to continue to improve in areas where his game is not as polished. This is probably most true on the defensive side of the ball, where he is a willing defender, but isn't always in the right position to make the necessary tackles, and isn't quite athletic enough to make up for that.
Still, it feels like Moyes may have unlocked something in Gana's absence, with Kiernan Dewsbury-Hall dropping into a deeper-lying role, with Charly Alcaraz ahead of the pair of Garner and KDH at the no.10. With Iliman Ndiaye and Jack Grealish creating on the wings for Thierno Barry and Beto, Everton may have found something they can use as a template for future success.
Garner's deal will likely put him in line with other younger players on this Everton squad, with the likes of Jarrad Branthwaite, Adam Aznou, KDH, Ndiaye, Barry, and Tyler Dibling all locked in until at least 2029.
This could mean good things for the future of the football club, as they look to build on a great start to this campaign, both this season and beyond.