Premier League newcomers Sheffield United are interested in signing Everton defender Mason Holgate this summer, it has been claimed.
The Blades will have to compete with Burnley and Bournemouth, however, it has been reported by the Sun.
Holgate is being valued at £10 million by the Toffees, so it remains to be seen if Chris Wilder’s side will break the bank for his signature.
A good move for all the parties involved?
Everton don’t have an abundance of resources to choose from in central defence as Michael Keane, Yerry Mina, Matthew Pennington, and Holgate are their only options.
Marco Silva’s side are desperate to sign Chelsea centre-back Kurt Zouma before the transfer window shuts down on 8th August, as per the Daily Star.
If the Toffees manage to do so, they might sell Holgate as his development might stagnate if he doesn’t get much playing time at the Goodison in the upcoming season.
What will Holgate add to Sheffield United?
Wilder prefers to operate with a set-up comprising of three central defenders, and is therefore after Holgate who is a versatile player.
He can operate as a traditional centre-back, right-back or right-sided centre-back in a three-man backline.
Last season, Holgate initially impressed for Everton before losing his place to Keane, and was loaned out to West Brom in the second half of the season.
The 22-year old mustered 2.7 tackles, 1.6 interceptions and 2.4 clearances per game on an average, having accumulated 21 Championship appearances under his belt.
The aforementioned stats reveal that he is a good tacker, and also has good pace to keep up with the quickest of attackers in the Premier League.
Being comfortable on the ball, he is skilful at passing the ball out from the back. He also has the physicality required to dominate in the air, and to make his presence felt in set-pieces piece situations at both ends of the field.
Although he might not be a finished article, he is expected to get regular game time if his move to Sheffield United materialises, and that will help him and the Blades as well.