NafisaEverton have solved a lot of their contract issues since the Friedkins took over last year, but James Garner’s talks remain ongoing.
There have not been many players more important to David Moyes this season than his 24-year-old midfielder.
Garner has become a real mainstay in the starting XI at Everton after taking his game to another level this season.
Everton News reported last month that Everton were keen to advance Garner’s contract talks on Merseyside.
As he navigates his disciplinary tightrope, Garner will prove a crucial part of Moyes’ side for the coming weeks as Idrissa Gana Gueye plays at the Africa Cup of Nations.
Moyes is desperate to keep Garner at Everton, but there is now something holding up the two parties from agreeing a new deal.
At the weekend, Garner mooted the possibility of becoming an Everton captain in the future, which would suggest good news on the contract front.
However, no major breakthrough seems to have been struck between the club and his representatives.
According to TeamTalk, there is currently a gap in salary demands from Garner and what the Toffees are offering the midfielder.
Where should James Garner rank among Everton’s top earners? 💰
He’s been excellent this season, but surely he can’t become the top earner!
It is suggested that an agreement is still expected to be struck, with work going on in the background to get the deal over the line.
Although Everton would like to get the deal done before the end of the month, there is no real panic if the New Year comes before Garner has inked a new contract.
Garner is targeting an England call-up ahead of next summer’s World Cup, with Thomas Tuchel closely watching the midfielder.
This season has seen the midfielder play some of his best football since joining Everton and there is a hope that there are many more years ahead of him on Merseyside.
Everton need to avoid Garner contract debacle
Moyes has shared Garner’s contract clause that allows Everton to extend his deal by a further 12 months.
This will save Everton from losing the midfielder on a free in the summer transfer window.
What more does James Garner need to show to earn an England call-up? 🏴
However, the hope is that Garner will ink a new contract and commit to further years at the Hill Dickinson Stadium.
Tottenham Hotspur’s big-money summer signing Xavi Simons was blown away by Garner when the two sides met earlier in the season.
The 24-year-old’s game has gone from strength to strength, but the club must not allow his contract situation to reach a point where they have to trigger the extension clause.
Garner has been deserving of a new deal and hopefully a compromise can be reached between all parties.
Nafisa