Aston Villa have placed Everton midfielder James Garner high on their list of transfer targets ahead of the 2026 summer window, with the player\u2019s contract at Goodison Park set to expire in just a few months\u2019 time. The West Midlands club is not alone in its admiration \u2013 former side Manchester United and Nottingham Forest are also monitoring the situation \u2013 but Villa\u2019s recent track record of signing ex-United talent adds an extra layer of intrigue to the pursuit.

Everton, meanwhile, have stepped up their efforts to tie down the 24-year-old. Manager David Moyes has made it abundantly clear he does not wish to lose Garner, who has been an ever-present in the side during the 2025\u201326 campaign. Fresh terms are being discussed, and the midfielder is expected to be the next in line for a contract extension after Jordan Pickford, James Tarkowski and Jarrad Branthwaite all committed their long-term futures to the club.

Garner\u2019s importance to the Toffees cannot be overstated. The former England Under-21 international has clocked every single minute of Everton\u2019s Premier League season to date, featuring in a variety of roles. Predominantly operating as a mobile central midfielder, he has also filled in at both full-back positions on multiple occasions, including three appearances at left-back. His versatility and consistency have made him one of Moyes\u2019 most trusted lieutenants.

Numbers from the current season reflect his growing influence. In 26 league outings, Garner has recorded three goals and five assists, with his ability to arrive late in the box and deliver pinpoint set-pieces repeatedly catching the eye. A standout performance came in a surprise 1\u20130 victory at Old Trafford back in autumn 2025, a result that served as a reminder of how far the youngster has come since leaving United for just \u00a315 million in 2022.

Despite the ongoing contract negotiations, the lure of Champions League football could prove decisive. Villa, led by Unai Emery, are firmly in the race for a top-four finish again and the prospect of regular European nights might appeal to a player entering his prime years. A switch to Villa Park would also continue a curious trend: should Garner move, he would become the fourth former Manchester United player to join Villa in recent seasons, following Marcus Rashford, Jadon Sancho, and Victor Lindelof.

While Villa\u2019s interest in Garner is genuine, they are also managing their own midfield contract puzzle.

Ross Barkley\u2019s deal is set to expire at the end of the season, although the club holds an option to extend it by a further year. The 32-year-old has largely been used as an impact substitute in the league, making 12 appearances off the bench and scoring twice. Whether Villa trigger the extension may hinge on how their midfield targets develop. Sources close to the situation suggest a final decision on Barkley will be made after the January window, with Emery keen to keep his options open.

Complicating Villa\u2019s planning further is the unresolved future of loanee Harvey Elliott.

According to GIVEMESPORT\u2019s senior correspondent Neil Moxley, Villa and Liverpool are set to discuss the 23-year-old\u2019s situation in the coming weeks, with the possibility of the loan being cut short. Elliott has struggled to settle at Villa Park, making only five starts across all competitions and failing to replicate the form that earned him a move away from Anfield. If the loan is terminated early, it would free up squad space and wage budget, potentially accelerating Villa\u2019s pursuit of Garner.

Across Stanley Park, Everton are bracing themselves for what could be a pivotal few months. Garner\u2019s partnership with Idrissa Gueye was disrupted after the Senegalese was bizarrely sent off for slapping teammate Michael Keane during the win at United, forcing Moyes to deploy makeshift pairings. That incident, combined with ongoing contract uncertainty, has left the Everton boss scrapping for stability in the engine room. Keeping Garner \u2013 either through a new deal or a substantial fee \u2013 now ranks among the club\u2019s top priorities.

Should the talks stall, Villa will be ready to pounce. Emery is believed to value Garner\u2019s technical security and tactical intelligence, attributes that fit neatly into his possession-based system. The 24-year-old\u2019s ability to operate as both a No. 6 and a No. 8, along with his emergency full-back cover, makes him a cost-efficient option in a market that is expected to inflate further in 2026. With Barkley\u2019s future undecided and Elliott likely to depart, the pieces are quietly falling into place for Villa to make a formal approach.

For the player himself, the next few months represent a career-defining crossroads. Having fought for recognition after leaving United, Garner has blossomed into one of the Premier League\u2019s most underrated midfielders. Whether he opts to continue that journey on Merseyside or seeks a new chapter in the West Midlands may depend on Everton\u2019s ability to match his ambition \u2013 both on the pitch and in contract negotiations.