Everton defender Mason Holgate has been told by the club he may leave on loan in the January transfer window, according to Sky Sports.
The broadcaster claim that the Toffees are willing to grant the 22-year-old a temporary move after he fell down the pecking order under Marco Silva in the last few months.
Holgate, who signed a five-year contract last year, began the season in the Everton side but has not started a Premier League match since September.
Good move for Everton?
Yes. Holgate is behind four senior centre-backs in the pecking order – first-choice trio Michael Keane, Yerry Mina and Kurt Zouma, as well as long-serving Phil Jagielka. He has not even made the 18-man squad for a league match since early October, never mind the starting XI. With such a galaxy of proven performers blocking his way to a first-team slot, the former Barnsley youngster is better off joining a Premier League or Championship club where he can expect to play regularly, and to develop his game. The standards have gone up at Everton this season, and Holgate needs to improve if he is to win favour under Silva.
This is Futbol rating: 8/10
Likely to happen?
There is no insight as of yet as to where Holgate will end up next month, but it appears almost certain he will secure new temporary employers. Only an Everton centre-back injury or availability crisis would keep the centre-back at Goodison Park for the rest of the season.
This is Futbol rating: 9/10