Everton are looking to offload Mason Holgate this summer.
According to The Athletic, Mason Holgate is one of the players Everton are likely to sell in this transfer window, in order to create squad space and generate transfer funds. Demarai Gray is also likely to leave the Merseyside club.
There is interest in Holgate from Premier League and Championship clubs. The 26-year-old has made over 100 Premier League appearances for the Toffees and can still offer something at that level.
Everton paid Barnsley a fee of £2 million to sign the then-18-year-old in 2015. The former England under-21 international potentially hasn’t since reached the potential level the club had in mind for him.
However, he has been a very useful squad member down the years. In some ways his versatility has counted against him. Holgate has played at centre-back, right-back, and even in midfield at times in his Everton career, without ever making one of those positions his own on a long-term basis.
Everton have Holgate replacement ready
Now feels like a good time for Holgate to move on and nail down a regular starting spot elsewhere. Whilst he would be a solid signing for several lower Premier League clubs, he could absolutely shine in the Championship.
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As for Everton, they need to cash in wherever they can. Holgate is one of the few sellable assets the club have that Sean Dyche would be willing to part with. He won’t attract a huge fee, but getting his £70,000-per-week wages off the books would be a significant bonus. With Jarrad Branthwaite also coming through the ranks, there’s an internal replacement for Holgate already sorted.
Everton fans will be keen to see Branthwaite get his chance this season, and Holgate’s exit would clear a natural path to Dyche’s first team for the talented youngster.