Report – Everton respond to brace of bids for first team mainstay
Everton have rejected two bids for defender Mason Holgate already this month, according to Football Insider.
The youngster has established himself as a mainstay of the Toffees’ backline this season, playing every minute of every game since the 3-2 defeat to Brighton on October 23rd.
And it is understood that his jump into the first team has caught the eye of several Premier League rivals.
A report from Football Insider last month suggested that Newcastle United were interested in the 23-year-old, while the outlet also suggests that Bournemouth and Sheffield United are also monitoring his progress.
That interest has reportedly led to two bids from an unnamed club, but the Toffees have rejected both.
Holgate currently has 18 months left to run on his contract at Goodison Park, and it is understood that Carlo Ancelotti is keen for him to stay put.
Is Holgate likely to leave?
You would certainly hope not.
The defender has been one of the standout finds of the season at Goodison Park, and his ascension from fringe player to first team regular has been a silver lining on a campaign that has, at times, look very dour indeed.
If you need any further proof of just how far he’s come, you need only look at the drooling praise that Alan Shearer dished out for him on Match of the Day over the weekend, as per Goodison News itself.
It’s not hard to see why he’s garnering such attention either.
During the 1-1 draw with West Ham he managed four tackles, two interceptions, five clearances, an assist, and a pass completion rate just shy of 90%, as per Whoscored. It’s little wonder that his match rating was an impressive 8.56.
Bearing all that in mind, keeping him would be the much preferred option.
Thankfully, it would appear that the board agree, and are willing to dig their heels in if needed.
In other news, Dominic Calvert-Lewin raves over one Everton team-mate.