Mason Holgate tipped to join Rangers from Everton with Southampton loan set to be cancelled
Carlton Palmer believes Rangers are the favourites to sign Everton defender Mason Holgate in January with his Southampton loan set to be cancelled.
The defender joined the Saints on a season-long loan in the summer but has struggled to play regularly and could now be recalled by the Toffees and sent elsewhere to play more.
Middlesbrough, Watford and Rangers have all been linked but when asked by Football League World (13 December) about the situation Palmer believed Rangers could be “too big a draw” for the Championship clubs to compete with.
“Middlesbrough and Watford join the race with Glasgow Rangers for Mason Holgate, who’s currently on loan from Southampton,” Palmer said when speaking exclusively to Football League World.
“As things stand, Everton are currently planning to recall Holgate in January as he’s struggled to secure first-team football at St Mary’s – he’s made just five appearances and not performed to his true potential.
“Holgate was heavily criticised for his Southampton debut against Sunderland in September and the player himself admitted he was out of his depth.
“Middlesbrough are in urgent need of defensive cover and Holgate at 27 has got Premier League experience.
“Wherever he goes, Everton will want to see him playing, but the opportunity to join Glasgow Rangers might prove too big a draw than Middlesbrough or Watford.”
Pay attention
This will be very interesting to see what happens with Holgate, because it’s quite obvious that he doesn’t have a future at Everton.
The 27-year-old was allowed to leave on loan in the summer and has since admitted that Sean Dyche told him directly that he’s not really his type of player, hence a limited amount of game time.
He went to Southampton to resurrect his career but has barely played there and if he can’t get minutes at Championship level then he can’t be expected to return to Goodison Park in the Premier League and make an impact.
If we recall him from his loan however it would suggest we’re keeping an eye on his performances and that he may have a future, otherwise we’d just leave him there as it isn’t our problem anymore.
It’s one to keep an eye on because it could be interesting to see how it develops, especially with talk surrounding the future of Ben Godfrey during the January transfer window too.
In other Everton news, 777 Partners director Johannes Spors and Kevin Thelwell hold further talks.