Liverpool Turn Up Heat in Pursuit of Everton's Garner as Real Madrid Circle

Liverpool are ramping up their efforts to prise James Garner away from Everton, with reports suggesting the Reds are prepared to table a substantial bid for the midfielder this summer as Real Madrid keep a watchful eye on developments.

Garner's stock has risen considerably under David Moyes' stewardship at Goodison Park, culminating in his first England call-up and debut appearance. He featured in the Three Lions' 1-1 stalemate against Uruguay on Friday, earning the backing of manager Thomas Tuchel, who drew an intriguing comparison.

"I'm very happy with him — he's our mini Valverde," Tuchel remarked. "He's getting there, and he played very, very good. I was quite sure that he will play good because he has this natural confidence and he's just very physical. He won a lot of balls."

The England boss acknowledged room for improvement, however. "I think there are some situations where he can be a little bit more open in the body position and drive maybe a little bit more through midfield with a little bit more confidence," Tuchel continued. "I think in the last 10 minutes of the first half, he was involved in some ball losses that cost us a bit of confidence. But overall I was very impressed with the way he trained and the way he behaved. The way he played was good."

Garner arrived at Everton from Manchester United in summer 2022 for a modest £9m and has since blossomed into one of the Premier League's standout performers this season. He penned fresh terms at Goodison Park in January, yet that contract extension appears unlikely to deter interested suitors.

Spanish sources indicate Real Madrid are monitoring his progress closely, though Liverpool have emerged as the more aggressive pursuer. The Reds are reportedly willing to splash out €70m—equivalent to £61m—to convince Everton to sell, with the Merseyside club increasingly resigned to the prospect of losing their prized asset should substantial offers materialise.

Liverpool's midfield planning has been complicated by concerns surrounding Alexis Mac Allister, whose form has nosedived this term and who has been linked with a move to Madrid himself, alongside Curtis Jones, whose frustration over limited minutes at Anfield could prompt a summer exit.

Garner represents the kind of dynamic, versatile midfielder Liverpool are keen to recruit as they reshape their engine room. The consensus from those tracking the situation: a big move appears inevitable. The only question mark is which elite club will ultimately secure his signature.