Championship sides Middlesborough and Watford could look to move for Everton defender Mason Holgate, as reported by The Sun.
The Premier League club are said to be terminating the defender’s loan at St Mary’s, and a trio of clubs are prepared to swoop. Two of the Saints Championship rivals are part of that trio, with the third club being Scottish giants Rangers.
Sean Dyche’s frustrations come from Holgate’s lack of playing time for the Championship club. With just five appearances this season, his man-of-the-match performance against West Brom last month was only his second start of this campaign.
Jan Bednarek and Taylor Harwood-Bellis are preferred in Russell Martin’s defence partnership, with the Saints sitting fourth in the table.
Holgate’s career is one that never went the way it seemed to be going. Real Madrid manager Carlo Ancelotti once tipped the 27-year-old to go to the very top of the football world. However, since his move in 2015 from Barnsley, the ex-England under-21 international has struggled, featuring 126 times for the Toffees. During the Italian’s time in charge at Goodison Park, Holgate made 32 appearances for the club. He was even briefly named as captain by Ancelotti.
Scottish Premier League side Rangers have seen a number of injuries to their defensive lines in recent years. They seem to be aware of this fact and look to add defensive reinforcements to their ranks with the addition of Holgate. Everton want their player to get more playing time, and the clubs involved look to take advantage of this news.
Writer’s View
Holgate will be keen to move on from St Mary’s if they refuse to give him playing time. The decision not to play the 27-year-old is quite strange, especially as he is also capable of playing a holding midfield role. With his contract coming up at Everton in 2025, he will be desperate to prove himself to either earn a new contract or find himself a new home permanently. His versatility should make either of those a simple task. All he needs is the playing time to prove himself.