Sources: Everton ready to sell Holgate after talks held
Everton will listen to offers for Mason Holgate in January as they look to raise cash for new signings, Football Insider understands.
The Premier League club are in the market for defensive reinforcements next month, with new full-backs top of their target list.
Merseyside sources have told Football Insider that the club could sell Holgate as he has not totally convinced Rafael Benitez.
Internal talks have been held over January plans and Holgate’s name is one that has been discussed who could go in the upcoming window for the right offer.
The Merseysiders agreed a new five-year contract with the 25-year-old in March of last year at a time when he was attracting interest from elsewhere.
He was being touted for an England call-up at the time but has not added any senior caps to his Under-21s honours.
Holgate has had a mixed season under Benitez even though Yerry Mina’s latest injury opened the door for him to start Everton’s last two matches.
The versatile defender partnered Michael Keane in the 3-1 defeat to Crystal Palace and then played in a three-man defence alongside Keane and Jarrad Branthwaite in the 1-1 draw against Chelsea.
That fixture on 16 December was the last played by Everton, who have had their last three Premier League matches postponed.
Holgate has made nine appearances in all competitions this season.
The former Barnsley man has made 120 appearances for the Merseysiders since signing from Barnsley in 2015.
In other news, the brilliant nickname Bill Kenwright had for ex-Everton manager can be revealed.