Everton: Stuttgart make last-gasp approach to sign Mason Holgate amid Sheffield United transfer news
German club Stuttgart have made an enquiry about Everton defender Mason Holgate, according to the Daily Mail.
The newspaper reported in its print edition on Thursday (1 February, page 65) that he is also being considered by Sheffield United, although they already have an agreement in place for Leicester City centre-back Harry Souttar.
Holgate is currently on loan at Championship club Southampton, but has made just seven appearances in all competitions for the Saints.
Last-gasp move?
Holgate was perhaps over the moon to have left Goodison Park last summer in his search for more minutes on the pitch, with his Everton career seemingly stalling.
But his spell at Southampton has certainly not gone to plan, with the defender featuring just five times in the league and twice in the FA Cup for his temporary club.
The lack of football will have annoyed both him and Everton, with the player and club simply wasting their time given how he was expected to be able to get a chance to prove himself in the Championship.
Holgate could, however, now be given a way out of his Southampton nightmare in the form of a move to either Stuttgart or Sheffield United, with those clubs surely a better option for the defender than the Saints.
But it may be a risk for the Toffees to send one of their players out on loan to a direct Premier League rival, with Sheffield United one of the clubs trying to stay in the top flight alongside Everton.
German outfit Stuttgart could, therefore, be a more sensible option for the defender for the remainder of the season, particularly given how the Blades have an agreement in place for Leicester centre-back Souttar.
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