Exclusive: Whelan claims West Brom have made move for 'very good' defender after 'big hype'

EXCLUSIVE

West Brom would be getting their hands on a "very good signing" by re-signing Mason Holgate from Everton this summer, according to Noel Whelan.

The former Leeds striker, speaking exclusively to Football Insider, says that the 22-year-old defender might not have lived up to the high expectations set on his shoulders when he signed for the Baggies back in January but that he still has the quality to be a success.

As exclusively revealed by Football Insider, West Brom have made an approach to take the versatile enforcer, who can play as both a right-back and a centre-half, back to the Hawthorns on loan for next season.

Whelan insists that the Everton prospect has the necessary attributes to be a quality signing for the Baggies, despite perhaps not living up to fans' hype last season.

Whelan told Football Insider: "I think you can see the quality there, he's aggressive, he's got energy, he's got pace. He's a player that last season there was a big hype about him because he'd come from a Premier League club.

"Everyone seemed to think he was going to be head and shoulders above everybody else. That's not always the case. What you have got is a wing-back with loads of energy, good temperament, can read the game.

"West Brom are obviously looking to freshen things up and I think Holgate's a very good signing. You've got a player there that's come from Everton and is a very good football player." 

While West Brom might be looking to secure another loan deal,

Football Insider 

have revealed that

Everton will only consider selling Holgate permanently and that a temporary exit looks off the cards

.