Everton new signing opens door for long-serving player exit - report

Everton defender Mason Holgate could be set to leave Goodison Park this summer, according to The Athletic.

Writing on their website (2 August), the online publication reported that the arrival of Jake O’Brien from Lyon leaves the door open to a potential departure.

Long-serving Holgate spent the first half of last season on loan at Southampton before making a second loan switch to Sheffield United, making 17 appearances across both loan spells.

Mason Holgate to leave Everton this summer

Everton were excellent defensively last season as they conceded 51 goals, with only Arsenal, Manchester City and Liverpool conceding fewer in the Premier League.

The Blues didn’t necessarily need to strengthen the defence this summer, with Jarrad Branthwaite and James Tarkowski forming a formidable partnership, but O’Brien arrives to add further competition alongside another centre-back Michael Keane.

Holgate was on the fringes before O’Brien joined and is now further down the pecking order. He was underwhelming out on loan last season and only made nine appearances for the Toffees the season prior, so a departure remains in the best interest of all parties.

Finding a suitor will be difficult, however. His poor performances and high wage demands will likely prove to be an issue, so it may be the case that Everton have to sell him for a cut-price fee to ensure they can get him off the books.

The 27-year-old has had plenty of opportunities to prove his worth at Goodison Park, but it hasn’t worked out as things sometimes do in football. He should also be pushing for a move to kickstart his career, but given his wages are likely to put off any interested parties, it could be the case that he is happy to remain for an easy pay cheque.

Everton need to find a solution fast, move Holgate on, and see whether those funds can be invested into the side or at the very least, go towards helping the club become more financially stable.

In other Everton news, Sean Dyche was stunned at a question regarding Jarrad Branthwaite’s future after the Blues completed their latest signing.

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