Mason Holgate missing from Everton training along with Demarai Gray amid Southampton transfer talks
Mason Holgate was missing from Everton training on Thursday (3 August) along with fellow exit-linked man Demarai Gray based on over 100 photos from the club, according to the Liverpool Echo.
The newspaper reported on their website on Friday that there was no evidence of the defender at the Finch Farm session, with transfer speculation “swirling”, although it notes that the 26-year-old has had injury issues this summer.
Fabrizio Romano reported via Twitter on Thursday that Gray, 27, has missed three days of training after agreeing personal terms over a move to Fulham, although there is currently no deal on a fee despite a “verbal agreement” between the two clubs.
Holgate had been linked to Sheffield United earlier in the transfer window [talkSPORT, 26 June], but Southampton have since held talks over signing him [Telegraph, 11 July].
Dwight McNeil is the third man reported by The Echo as missing from Thursday’s training, although the former Burnley winger is injured after limping out of the friendly win over Stoke City on Saturday (29 July).
Movement?
Whether Holgate is on the brink of a move will presumably become clear in the coming days but it would make sense all round.
Sean Dyche seems to have him some way down the pecking order at the back, having only given him four Premier League appearances after taking over from Frank Lampard, and usually in positions other than centre-back.
The former Barnsley man was targeted for criticism after he was forced into use at full-back during an injury crisis at the back end of last season, and doesn’t look like he will get game time at his preferred position unless all of James Tarkowski, Michael Keane, Ben Godfrey and Jarrad Branthwaite are unavailable.
He has two years left on his Everton contract so if Southampton are willing to make a reasonable offer for him Dyche surely would prefer the cash for his transfer budget.
That Holgate appears to have missed training might suggest a move is on the cards imminently, and if a deal is to happen it would be better now than closer to the deadline when there is little time for the money to help with incoming business.
In other Everton news, the Toffees’ stance has emerged as Manchester United circle looking at a first-team player that Erik ten Hag wants.