Sources: Everton ready to sell star who recently signed five-year deal to part-fund Koulibaly deal

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Published on:

15 May 2021, 2:30 am

Everton will listen to offers for Mason Holgate this summer as they look to raise cash for A-list signings including a top centre-back, Football Insider understands.

This site broke the news on 22nd March that Carlo Ancelotti had made Napoli's Kalidou Koulibaly his top target as he looks to recruit a "world-class" central defender.

An Everton source has told Football Insider that the club could sell Holgate as he has not totally convinced Ancelotti.

The Merseysiders agreed a new five-year contract with Holgate, 24, in March of last year at a time when he was at the top of his game and attracting interest from elsewhere.

But he has had a mixed season despite being a regular starter in Everton's back line.

Ancelotti admirers Holgate's versatility - he can operate at right-back, in central midfield and in an orthodox back four or in a back three - as well as his physical attributes.

The former Barnsley man has made 24 Premier League starts among 28 appearances in all competitions this season.

His latest came at right-back in Thursday's drab goalless draw against Aston Villa.

Everton are planning to work on a deal for Koulibaly even though he turns 30 in June and will have little sell-on value.

Football Insider revealed in March that Ancelotti does not believe the current Everton combinations at centre-back work together.

Of Everton's four senior centre-backs, each of Michael Keane, Ben Godfrey, Yerry Mina and Mason Holgate have started at least 20 Premier League matches.

Holgate has made 108 appearances for the Merseysiders since signing from Barnsley in 2015.

In other news, the brilliant nickname Bill Kenwright had for former Everton manager can be revealed.

Everton FC