James Garner, Everton and Chelsea
1 September 2026
Everton rejected a late £65 million bid from Chelsea for midfielder James Garner because the proposal arrived too close to the transfer deadline, according to the supplied BBC gossip article. The 25-year-old therefore remained at Everton after the window closed.
Chelsea were searching for additional midfield options during a deadline period dominated by Enzo Fernandez’s departure and the failed Lamine Camara move. Everton had no practical time to replace Garner, making the timing of Chelsea’s approach a decisive factor.