Ex-coach expects Nottingham Forest to make summer move to sign Everton star - 'It'll take a lot to get him'

James Garner is attracting renewed interest from Nottingham Forest and a number of Premier League rivals despite signing a new contract with Everton.

The 25-year-old made his England debut during the international break as Thomas Tuchel’s side drew 1-1 with Uruguay, and his performance caught the eye of watching suitors.

He was the subject of heavy speculation during the January transfer window before putting pen to paper on a new deal, but that has done little to deter interest.

Former West Ham scout Mick Brown told Football Insider that Nottingham Forest have been watching Garner and have been impressed by his displays.

While Everton remain hopeful of keeping their best players at the club this summer, Nottingham Forest are accelerating their transfer plans an could make a move.

Could Nottingham Forest agree James Garner deal?

Football Insider exclusively revealed prior to the midfielder’s new deal that Nottingham Forest are big admirers of Garner and hope to lure him to the City Ground.

Their initial plan was to sign him on a free transfer at the end of the season, but after he extended his contract at Everton, the deal would involve a significant fee.

Vitor Pereira’s side are keen to bolster their midfield options after missing out on big-money targets in the mid-season window, and view Garner as an option.

“Interest in Garner certainly hasn’t gone away,” former Manchester United coach Brown told Football Insider.

“Nottingham Forest have been looking at him for a while and they’ve decided he’s got the attributes and quality they want to add to their team.

“They will have watched him closely when he played for England, and by all accounts, he was very impressive in that game and did well for himself.

“He obviously signed a new contract at Everton not long ago, so it will take a lot to get him out, so it depends on what Forest are willing to spend.

“But it was mainly to stop him leaving on a free transfer to somebody like Forest, and to make sure that if he is going to go, they get a fee for him.

“So I don’t think Forest will be put off by his contract; they are interested in him and believe he would bring a lot to their midfield, so I can see them making a move.”

Who else is on Nottingham Forest’s list of targets?

Garner is not the only midfielder being targeted by Nottingham Forest ahead of the summer window, with the position becoming one of their top priorities.

Celtic midfielder Arne Engels was the focus of a number of deadline-day offers for Forest in February, the biggest of which worth as much as £25million.

Despite missing out, however, Football Insider revealed that Nottingham Forest are prepared to return for Engels this summer to finally get a deal over the line.

There is a feeling Celtic will be more willing to sell in the summer, when they will have more time to reinvest the funds into landing a replacement.

Forest have strengthened their position in the Premier League relegation battle and are increasingly confident of survival, and could turn their attentions towards transfers.

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