Mason Holgate in advanced talks to joing Sheffield United as Everton make transfer decision
Mason Holgate is in advanced talks to join Sheffield United on loan after Everton told him he is free to leave the club, according to reports.
The defender made just five starts in the Premier League last season and is entering the final two years of his contract, meaning the time is now to sell.
A report by the Liverpool Echo (26 June) claims the club have told the player he can leave on loan or permanently this summer should an acceptable offer arrive, and TalkSPORT report that the Blades have made their move.
“Sheffield United are in advanced talks with Everton over signing Mason Holgate on loan, talkSPORT understands,” they wrote (26 June).
“Centre-back Holgate has been told he can leave Goodison Park as Everton attempt to trim their wage bill and make space for new arrivals.”
Bloated
The first-team squad at Goodison Park has struggled in certain areas on the pitch in recent years, but defensively the options have been bloated for a while.
In the 2022/23 season Frank Lampard and Sean Dyche had James Tarkowski, Conor Coady, Yerry Mina, Michael Keane, Ben Godfrey and Holgate available to play as central defenders.
Coady has already been allowed to return to parent club Wolves while Mina has left on a free transfer, but youngster Jarrad Branthwaite is returning from his spell at PSV Eindhoven to compete for a first-team spot.
That means the numbers are still too great, but a loan move to another Premier League side leaves the door open to make some money on a sale if he has a good season next year or even potentially renew his contract.
It’s a smart move from the club and Holgate isn’t someone the fans will be desperate to see stick around, so everyone can be happy that this one will get over the line.
In other Everton news, an FA Cup winning striker is on Sean Dyche’s wishlist for this summer.