James Garner not worried about Everton contract situation

I hope we at least have an option to extend; otherwise, have we seriously got ourselves into a place where he only has months to go?

He could sign for another club for free in January...

Yes I think a lot of Everton fans are worried that James Garner might slip away from the club for nothing.

This option on the table — does James have that option, the club or both of them?

If it is up to James, I think he might just walk away and get a substantial signing-on fee from one of the several clubs who I think will be interested in getting a very good player this way. I hope I am wrong; he has deserved a new contract well before this time.

Moyes said this in a press conference about Garner's contract (I can't remember before which game), so it's likely that the club has an option to extend.

Also possible incoming is Kobbie Mainoo (or Mainwho, as he's usually anonymous!). Jack Grealish has a possible hamstring injury.

Also, Moyes is looking at possibly bringing in a striker in January who can lead the line, hold the ball up, bring others into play, and score goals -- just like Calvert-Lewin at Leeds United. Happy Christmas.🌲🎅😁

Remember his recurrent back injury? Did we glue him together and expect he will break any day? Is he mentioned in the Epstein files? Joke.

But seriously, there must be something else going on cause even since TFG arrived we've been quick to lock down various other less valuable players.

Maybe as Kieran alludes to, there's some fitness concerns in the background.

He's going nowhere.

Well everything will be fine then, that's what I want, I hope Garner feels the same way.

Does that mean we can keep him even if he doesn't agree a new contract? Or better terms?

If we want him, we can keep him -- even if he doesn't want to stay? How does it work?

My understanding is it means Everton can extend his contract on existing terms for a further year. Garner effectively "agreed" to this when he signed his original contract which contained the option for Everton to extend.

Garner is contracted to stay if Everton exercise their option. If he really wants out, Everton could possibly extend and sell.

I'd suggest the reason the club are stalling is that the Garner extension will be "like a new signing" in an otherwise bleak winter window.

In other news -- Alex Murphy coming on for Newcastle. Is there no end to the great man's talent?

I think Garner's agent mustn't be very good at looking after James if he agreed to an extension in his contract with no further rise in his wages. A few clubs were interested in signing him at the time, including Nottm Forest, who James played for on loan the season they won promotion, if I'm not mistaken.

My understanding of a 1-year option is if it's agreeable to both sides. I wouldn't be surprised if Garner can walk away from the club if he doesn't get a considerable increase in his wages. I wouldn't be happy in his boots, pulling his tripe out every game, and getting a lot less than other players.

Fair's fair — give the lad a new contract now or let him leave and get what he deserves elsewhere. In other words, “play the fuckin game” — not what suits you.

The club will trigger it regardless, and it'll be a question of him signing a new deal or being sold with a year left under contract.

I could be wrong, but I've never read of a club having an option, that the player has then blocked, and walked for free. But this is Everton, so if theres going to be a club, it'll be us. See Gosling, Points deduction for Psr, Niasse ban, Tony Kay etc.

The scenario you are describing is the default... players contract comes to an end and both parties agree to a new deal or part ways.

So why are some deals described as the club having an option and others mostly don't?

By the way the original deal could have contained a clause that a payrise for Garner would be be triggered if Everton exercise the option to extend.

As well as Garner running down his contract Michael Keane who for me has been our best defender can walk at the end of this season with rumours of other Premier league clubs willing to offer him a new contract.

"Manchester United 'plan to trigger option for 12-month extension on Marcus Rashford's contract' if they are unable to agree new terms with the PSG-linked forward whose current deal runs out next summer"

Maybe I'm missing something but that doesn't suggest to me that both parties have to be in agreement to trigger an additional year option.