David Moyes speaks out on Harrison Armstrong loan return, James Garner Everton contract and Beto exit
Everton manager David Moyes has been discussing the position of Harrison Armstrong, James Garner and Beto ahead of the game at home to Leeds United
14:42, 23 Jan 2026Updated 14:43, 23 Jan 2026
Everton manager David Moyes has explained the dilemma he faces over whether to send Harrison Armstrong back on loan to Preston North End before the winter transfer window closes and offered an update on James Garner’s negotiations over a new contract.
Armstrong, who turned 19 on Monday, moved to Deepdale on a season-long loan on transfer deadline day of the summer window but was recalled early by the Blues on New Year’s Day due to a selection crisis.
Since then, the midfielder has produced a string of encouraging displays, starting Everton’s last three matches. Despite this, speaking after his side’s 3-0 defeat at home to Hull City in the Championship on Tuesday, Preston boss Paul Heckingbottom insisted that he expected the West Derby prospect to be back with him before the window closes.
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And Moyes, speaking at his press conference to preview Monday’s visit of Leeds United to Hill Dickinson Stadium, said: “He had his best game for us at Aston Villa, that’s for sure and stepped up.
“I think like any player, whether it be an overseas player or a young player, it sometimes takes you a few games to get used to the Premier League.
“Harrison has done a brilliant job since he came in. I still would like to give him back to Preston if it’s right, but if I can’t and I need him here, I’ll more than do that.
“I’ve got to make sure that I get him games. I don’t want him sitting on the bench.
“If I’d have thought I’d have him sitting on the bench all the time then I would probably send him back.”
Moyes has been championing Garner’s credentials for an England call-up for much of the season and the 62-year-old was spotted talking to Three Lions boss Thomas Tuchel following the 1-0 win at Aston Villa.
Asked what he had said to the German, the Glaswegian gaffer replied: “I told Thomas [Tuchel] that James was Scottish really and I would be surprised if he could play for England! His name sounds Scottish, so that was it.
“No, we just had a chat about a few things. He’s been at a couple of games that we’ve won narrowly, so he’s a wee bit of our club mascot at the moment!”
Reports this week have claimed that Garner, whose current contract at Everton, with an option to extend, expires this summer, is now closing in on a new deal.
Asked about that, Moyes replied: “Things are moving on.”
Meanwhile, the Blues boss claimed to be in the dark about speculation that representatives of Beto were discussing a potential move to Turkish side Fenerbahce.
Moyes said: “I know nothing about it at the moment, no.
“We wouldn’t [be prepared to let him go] because we’ve not got enough [strikers].”
