Exclusive: Aston Villa and Nottingham Forest make contact over James Garner deal
James Garner next to a circular inset of Unai EmeryPete O’Rourke, Transfer Correspondent
Aston Villa and Nottingham Forest have joined Newcastle United in the hunt for Everton midfielder James Garner, sources have told Football Insider.
The Manchester United academy graduate is out of contract at the Hill Dickinson Stadium next summer, and his future with the Toffees is up in the air.
Sources say that Villa and Forest have now registered their interest in Garner, 24, ahead of the January transfer window.
It comes after Football Insider revealed on 12 November that Newcastle are keeping tabs on Garner as they look to reinforce their own midfield ranks.
James Garner points and shouts playing for Everton
Credit: Imago
Everton consider James Garner options
Everton reportedly have the option to extend Garner’s contract for another year at the end of the season, so the situation may not be as urgent as it seems.
However, with the likes of Nottingham Forest, Aston Villa and Newcastle now circling, the Toffees may want to get the midfielder tied down.
Garner spent a year and a half on loan at Forest while they were in the Championship, helping them secure promotion to the Premier League in the 2021-22 campaign.
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Sean Dyche’s side face a battle to lure the Englishman back to the City Ground though, as he now has several options on the table.
That is according to former Aston Villa and Man United senior scout Mick Brown, who claims that Emery is keen to keep the midfielder at the club.
Aston Villa were open to offers for Buendia during the summer transfer window, with the Argentine coming close to a move away.
However, the former Norwich star has worked his way back into the team this season and has been one of Emery’s most important players in recent weeks.
