Garner as Hojbjerg replacement? Tottenham target versatile Everton midfielder

Tottenham Hotspur FC have expressed interest in signing former Manchester United midfielder James Garner in the upcoming summer transfer window, per Football Insider.

The North Londoners are looking to increase depth in the midfield in the upcoming off-season as Daniel Levy and officials at Hotspur Way look to build on the progress that the club has made under Ange Postecoglou over the past year. There is a dire need for a new midfielder, at White Hart Lane, owing to the expected departure of Pierre-Emile Hojbjerg and Pierre-Emile Højbjerg, and they feel that James Garner could be an exciting acquisition to pursue. 

Everton face a fight to keep rising midfielder

The Merseyside Blues acquired James Garner on the back of an impressive campaign on loan at Nottingham Forest. The Blues paid £15 million to sign him from Manchester United in 2022, and his game has compounded since moving to Goodison Park. 

He has found consistency in his performances for Sea Dyche’s side in the recently concluded campaign and has been involved in over 44 games along the way while racking up over 3,600 minutes on the field. Garner has shown his versatile profile, representing Everton, as he has been used in multiple roles throughout the 2023–24 season, with Dyche using him in a defensive midfield as well as a central midfield role while also playing out wide on the flanks as well as in a more attacking role from the middle of the park. 

His impressive performances, complemented by his versatility, have got Tottenham and Ange Postecoglou vying for his signatures, as the Lilywhites seem keen to fortify their interest in his signatures. 

Looking at the interest that Gerner is generating, the Merseyside Blues are looking to keep him at the club. He still has a couple of years on his current contract at Goodison Park; however, Sean Dyche’s side is looking to reward him with a new contract to commend his progress at the club and in hopes of averting interest from his potential suitors.

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While Everton are confident that an agreement for a new deal can be found, it is to be seen if Garner agrees to extend his stay with his current employers or pursue pastures in an exciting project like Tottenham.