Aston Villa's Transfer Bid for James Garner Hits a Roadblock
Aston Villa's pursuit of James Garner has hit a roadblock as Everton's stance on the midfielder's future remains unchanged. The Toffees have been clear about their intentions to keep Garner, who signed a new contract until 2030.
What Happened?
Everton's manager, David Moyes, views Garner as an important part of his ambitious plans for the future. The midfielder has been a mainstay in Moyes' side, hardly ever dropping out of the starting XI. He even put himself in contention for the England squad last season.
Why It Matters for Aston Villa
Aston Villa's manager, Unai Emery, has identified Garner as an option to strengthen in midfield. The Villans have lost both Youri Tielemans and Amadou Onana, and are now determined to bolster their midfield depth. However, Everton's stance on Garner's future remains unchanged.
What Comes Next?
Garner has undergone surgery on a groin injury and is now a major doubt for the opening game of the Premier League season. He will not have the required level of match fitness after missing all of Everton's pre-season training. While there is optimism that he may be fit for the opening game, it is unlikely that Everton will let him go anytime soon.
As of now, Aston Villa are still interested in signing Garner, but it will be a tough task for them to lure him away from Everton. The Toffees have been clear about their intentions to keep him, and it will take a very good offer for them to sell.
Aston Villa are currently 15 points behind leaders Arsenal in the Premier League title race. They have scored 43 goals and conceded 38 so far this season, with a goal difference of +5. Their next fixture is against Leeds on February 20, 2027, and they are currently 15th in the table. Amadou Onana is currently sidelined for the Villans.
League Standing
Aston Villa are currently 4th in the Premier League, with 55 points from 32 games, and a recent form of DWLLL.
