Everton want to sell Mason Holgate as Southampton try to sign him on loan amid wages update – Sky Sports
Southampton are “trying to sign” Mason Holgate on loan from Everton for the year amid a “gap” to close between the two on wages, according to Mark McAdam.
The Sky Sports journalist reported via Twitter Sunday (13 August) that the Toffees are “open” to a loan deal for the defender, 26, but “their preference is to sell” amid negotiations on what the Saints would contribute to Holgate’s salary on loan.
Other clubs are “interested” according to McAdam as another first-team player appears headed to the exit at Goodison Park, after Ellis Simms left for Coventry City and with Demarai Gray looking likely to go too.
Holgate has fallen down the pecking order at Everton and only made four Premier League appearances under Sean Dyche last season.
It’s time
A loan departure appears to only be delaying the inevitable in terms of Holgate’s Toffees career so a permanent move feels like the right answer at this stage.
With Southampton being relegated they may not be able to afford the fee that it would take to get such a deal done, even if it likely isn’t huge, especially if they are haggling on wages for a loan.
He has two years left on his contract on Merseyside so there would be scope for a sale next summer were he to perform strongly in the Championship.
But the price that Everton would be able to ask for would obviously be lessened, and barring a surprising turn of events at this stage he doesn’t look like being in contention for much first-team action at Goodison Park 12 months down the line either.
Dyche clearly prefers his James Tarkowski and Michael Keane partnership in the first instance, and with Ben Godfrey and Jarrad Branthwaite in the squad as the next men up it would take an injury crisis for Holgate to play in the middle.
He was pushed into action at full-back and defensive midfield in his brief outings last term and didn’t fair too well, so from his point of view a move away may be a relief.
Time is running out for another club to enter the fray and potentially do a permanent deal since Southampton have pushed ahead in talks, but a development like that would be desirable at this stage for the manager and his transfer budget.
In other Everton news, the club are set for their fourth signing of the summer amid extensive drama involving three English clubs.