Everton are set to open contract talks with Newcastle target Mason Holgate, according to Telegraph Sport.
The 23-year old defender was a target for Steve Bruce’s side during the January transfer window, according to Football Insider, with Holgate having impressed for the Toffees this season.
The Magpies wanted to strengthen their back-line in the winter window, and while they weren’t able to buy anyone, they did sign full-backs Danny Rose and Valentino Lazaro on loan from Tottenham and Inter Milan respectively, as well as midfielder Nabil Bentaleb from Schalke.
However, the two full-backs were brought in to replace Jetro Willems and Paul Dummett, both of whom were ruled out for the remainder of the season by Bruce last month (BBC Sport), and so the club didn’t exactly increase their depth in defence.
It would be difficult for the Magpies to reignite interest in the summer too, with Telegraph Sport now claiming that Everton are set to reward their performing player with a long-term, new and improved contract.
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Holgate was always going to be a tough player to sign, such has his impact been felt on Merseyside this season. Labelled as ‘fantastic’ by Ian Wright following his performance for the Blues against Watford at the weekend, the versatile 23-year old has emerged as one of the club’s most consistent performing players (Liverpool Echo).
Having replaced Marco Silva with Carlo Ancelotti in December, Everton are in a period of transition, and the club would likely have been reluctant to lose any of their first-team regulars midway through the season.
Newcastle may well try again in the summer, but after he signs a new long-term deal on an improved wage, it could be tough to convince either him or Everton to sanction a deal.
