Mason Holgate set for 'significant' Everton payment as late transfer on cards
Everton will have to pay a "significant" portion of Mason Holgate's wages if he is to leave on loan before the transfer window closes, according to the Liverpool Echo.
The newspaper reported via its live blog [30 August, 1:59pm] that several Championship clubs are interested in signing the 27-year-old centre-back, though no firm offers have been lodged yet.
It is understood that the Toffees would rather sell the player before 11pm on Friday 30 August, as per Harry Watkinson, but his £72,000-a-week salary is seen as a "big obstacle".
Everton to secure loan deal for Mason Holgate before transfer deadline?
While plenty of interested clubs are emerging to sign Holgate, the Toffees will be disappointed that a loan looks to be the favoured option this summer.
The 27-year-old spent the entirety of the 2023/24 campaign on loan, six months with Southampton before being recalled and sent to Sheffield United, with neither deal working out.
He only played seven matches for the Saints, with his 10 appearances not going much better at Bramall Lane, having been sent off during his third game, so it is understandable why the Toffees want him off the books.
Although Jarrad Branthwaite is yet to return from injury, James Tarkowski and Michael Keane are both available, with new signing Jake O'Brien still settling into life at Goodison Park.
While Holgate has made over 150 appearances for the Evertonians since arriving from Barnsley, his chances under Sean Dyche have been extremely limited in recent seasons.
He made just nine Premier League appearances last term, having spent most of his time on loan elsewhere, and making five league appearances during the 2022/23 season.
His future looks to lie away from Merseyside, but the next question is about where he'll end up before 11pm on transfer deadline day.
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