Leeds United should move for Mason Holgate as Everton look to sell ‘brilliant’ defender
Leeds United should make a move to sign Everton defender Mason Holgate as they look to add defensive reinforcements this summer.
Sky Sports journalist Mark McAdam tweeted on 13 August that their Championship rivals Southampton are looking to sign the 26-year-old on a season-long loan deal.
He said the Toffees are looking to sell the centre-back, who Peter Crouch referred to as “brilliant”, but that they are open to loaning him out as other clubs are also interested.
The Whites are on the lookout for new additions this summer after a number of their star players have already left Elland Road, and Holgate was linked back in January [The Sun].
Robin Koch, Max Wober, Brenden Aaronson, Rasmus Kristensen, Marc Roca, Jack Harrison and Rodrigo all left the club as all of them – barring the Spanish forward – were desperate to continue playing at the highest possible level.
Harrison was the latest player to leave after he joined Everton on a season-long loan deal on 14 August after a relegation clause in his contract was activated.
That has resulted in another day of disappointment for Leeds fans as the amount of outgoings during the transfer window has massively outweighed the incomings.
They have been linked with a number of defenders over the course of the summer and the need for a new centre-back was exacerbated by the injury to captain Liam Cooper against Cardiff City.
The Whites are yet to keep a clean sheet in Daniel Farke’s opening three matches in charge following the late defeat to Birmingham City on 12 August.
One man that could help ease their defensive problems could be Holgate as Everton are seemingly desperate to get him off their books.
With Southampton and a number of other Championships sides linked with a move for the defender, the club shouldn’t be allowing a rival to get their hands on him.
Although McAdam reported that his salary is a current stumbling block preventing him from making the move to the Saints, that shouldn’t be an issue for Leeds after they’ve freed up a chunk of wages.
Holgate brings a decent amount of experience after making 149 appearances for the Premier League outfit, while he previously spent time on loan in the second tier with West Brom, so he knows what the league is about.
This could be a shrewd piece of business as Farke looks to steady the ship in West Yorkshire following a challenging summer so far.
In other Leeds United news, there has been a twist in one player’s potential move to another club.