Mason Holgate development at Southampton has Everton impact amid transfer window recall speculation
Mason Holgate’s immediate future appears to have signalled by his start for Southampton in the FA Cup as Alan Myers has confirmed that would cup-tie him for Everton if his loan was terminated this month.
The Sky Sports journalist highlighted via Twitter the on-loan Saints defender’s place in the line-up for their 4-0 win over Walsall on 6 January, where the 27-year-old played the full 90 minutes.
The cup victory was Holgate’s first appearance since 11 November, having played just 289 minutes across five league appearances otherwise, leading to speculation that he could return to Goodison Park during the January window.
Paul Joyce in The Times (3 January) has reported that Everton don’t have a recall option although it has previously been reported that the deal could be cancelled early from the Championship club’s end, but the latest development suggests that won’t now happen.
Reprieve?
Having received little more of an opportunity by Russell Martin than he got last term under Sean Dyche it wouldn’t have been a huge surprise if Holgate had been sent back to Merseyside.
But the appearance in the FA Cup would clearly lessen his use for either Everton or another side if he was to go out on loan again.
So unless Southampton have decided to be particularly awkward it would suggest the defender is set to remain on the south coast for the remainder of the campaign.
Assuming he gets more of a look in over the second half of the season that is probably the best outcome for everyone, since there doesn’t look to be much of an opportunity for him back at Everton.
It is difficult to see a major revival in his Toffees career at this stage, at least while Dyche is in charge, so wherever he is for the next six months he will need to play in order to drum up interest for a potential permanent move in the summer.
The plans for Holgate this month aren’t yet definitive but it would appear that the loan termination is probably off the table now.
In other Everton news, another temporary move is set to be cancelled in the coming days amid an update on a possible incoming deal.