Everton, having fought off the advances for Amadou Onana and Jarrad Branthwaite in recent months, now have a new star to worry about holding on to.
James Garner has swiftly grown into one of the club’s most important assets since joining under Frank Lampard’s tenure, in what has turned out to be a largely successful summer transfer window regarding the talent he acquired.
Fortunately, it is Sean Dyche now directing those players, and thus far he is doing an admirable job in the face of such unrelenting adversity.
Garner typifies everything that is good about this new-look Toffees outfit, with a tireless work ethic, quality and youthful energy in spades.
But, things could be spoiled with Tottenham Hotspur now sniffing around.
Tottenham Hotspur want to sign James Garner
That is at least what is being reported by TEAMtalk, who suggest Spurs could be the first to make contact with the 22-year-old midfielder.
After all, he has been regarded as untouchable by Everton, unsurprisingly, given he has featured in all but one of their Premier League games this season, only missing that one through illness.
The Toffees would likely be able to command a hefty fee were they at all interested in losing his services, given he was acquired for just £15m in 2022, regarded as a massive bargain at the time.
Given how he has flourished, that notion is only emphasised.
As noted in the report, they claim: ‘Tottenham are plotting a move for Everton midfielder James Garner in this summer’s transfer window, TEAMtalk can reveal.
‘Garner has emerged on the radar of Spurs and several other Premier League clubs, including Newcastle after catching the eye at Goodison Park over the last 18 months.’
How important is James Garner to Everton?
The importance that Garner holds to Dyche’s outfit is exemplified through that ever-present nature outlined through that aforementioned statistic.
When fit, he plays. That is the way things work around Goodison Park.
Not only is it useful that he remains so talented, but the fact he is virtually always available is a big bonus for a side that has been ravaged by injuries this campaign.
That talent is exemplified through his figures in the Premier League, where he is averaging an 81% pass accuracy and 1.3 key passes, 2.8 tackles and 5.3 ball recoveries per game, via Sofascore.
Without him, Everton’s midfield would collapse. They cannot afford him to go, arguably more than they cannot afford to lose Branthwaite or Onana.
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