Everton looking at signing Champions League winner on loan

It will be fascinating to see how James Garner’s future at Everton unfolds in the next few months. The Toffees number 37 is out of contract at the end of the current season, and it is unclear if he will stay at the club beyond.

The former Manchester United midfielder does have a one-year contract extension option, although that is yet to be exercised by the Merseysiders. It seems likely they will trigger it so they don’t lose him for free, but it could well mean Garner is sold in the summer if he decides not to sign a new contract.

If that were to be the case, the Toffees are perhaps lining up a new midfield option to replace him.

Everton targeting big-name midfielder

It seems as though the middle of the park is a place Everton are looking to strengthen in the winter. One player they have been linked with is Galatasaray and former Norwich City star Gabriel Sara, for whom they could move.

However, they are also reportedly plotting a shock move for Paris Saint-Germain and Spain international Fabian Ruiz.

That is according to Goodison News, who report that the club ‘hold an interest’ in the 2025 Champions League winner.

The report explains that David Moyes’ side are ‘hoping to rectify some of their depth concerns’ this winter, with a move for Ruiz an option. It seems likely that this move would just be a loan, although it won’t be straightforward even then.

There is also said to be ‘interest from clubs in Spain and in Turkey’ for the midfielder.

How Fabian Ruiz compares to James Garner

If Everton are able to get a deal over the line for 29-year-old Ruiz, it would be a coup of massive proportions.

Not only would he bring plenty of experience, but also a winning pedigree, with the Champions League and the European Championship amongst the silverware he’s lifted.

He’s once again been competing with Portugal duo Vitinha and Joao Neves for a spot in midfield this term, but has still notched up a good number of appearances. Ruiz has played 21 games across all competitions, scoring twice and assisting three goals.

It is important to mention his contributions to Spain’s successful Euro 2024 campaign. The midfielder played a starring role in the middle of the park, scoring and assisting four goals while playing 90 minutes in the semi-final and final.

Regardless of what happens to Garner’s contract, signing Ruiz would certainly be a huge upgrade on the former Carrington graduate.

Granted, he has played an important role for Moyes’ side over the last few months, but he doesn’t bring the level of pedigree in terms of titles, or indeed quality on the ball, that the silky Spaniard offers.

This is not to say Garner is not a top-quality midfielder. The 24-year-old has played 21 matches for the Toffees this term across all competitions, chipping in with six goal involvements in that time.

Their underlying stats from last season show just how much of an upgrade the PSG star would be. For example, he averaged 9.58 progressive passes and 2.2 progressive carries per 90 minutes, compared to 2.82 progressive passes and 0.85 progressive carries each game from the Toffees number 37. Ruiz is a “box-crashing” superstar, as scout Ben Mattinson once put it.

Judging the numbers and the player’s reputation, he would certainly be a massive addition to the Everton squad. Described as “the best player in the world in his position” by Spain boss Luis de la Fuente, he would add lots of technical brilliance and flair to the Toffees midfield.

Losing Garner would, of course, be a blow for Moyes. But if they could sign a player of Ruiz’s quality on loan, then he would be a huge upgrade and make their first-choice lineup more formidable.

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