Everton transfer news as Southampton consider loan move for Mason Holgate
Southampton are considering a loan approach to sign Everton defender Mason Holgate, according to Liverpool ECHO journalist Joe Thomas.
According to Thomas, taking to his personal Twitter account (7 August), the Championship club are understood to be exploring a potential loan move for the 26-year-old, who has also been the subject of attention from Sheffield United and Nottingham Forest.
Holgate has not featured in a single senior matchday squad during pre-season with injury kept him out of the training camp in France while being resigned to appearances for the Under-21s, and it appears as if he isn’t in Sean Dyche’s plans for the new campaign.
Thomas tweeted: “Understand Southampton the latest club to be considering a loan move for Mason Holgate.
“Blues defender not involved in a single senior matchday squad during pre-season.”
Get rid
The senior defender played a bit-part role last season making just eight appearances all campaign and with his contract still with two years left to run, Everton were always expected to be willing sellers.
The centre-back position was incredibly stocked last season which meant Holgate simply had no place in the team, at the expense of the likes of Conor Coady, James Tarkowski, Michael Keane, Ben Godfrey and Yerry Mina.
Holgate clearly doesn’t have a future at Goodison Park and it is only a matter of time before he follows the likes of Ellis Simms, Tom Davies, Mina and Coady out the exit door this summer.
When Holgate did feature last season, he failed to convince the Everton fans and Sean Dyche that he could be relied upon for future use at Goodison Park
Much of the Everton squad has been in desperate need of a total revamp for so long and it’s encouraging to see the club make a ruthless decision on a player no longer needed.
However, a permanent departure must be considered here as Holgate doesn’t have much to offer the club’s long-term future. He’s simply got to be moved on.
In other Everton news, the Toffees must firm up their approach to sign a leading Juventus defensive wonder this summer.