€18 million Everton defender is probably on Eddie Howe’s Newcastle United shortlist

Newcastle United are hoping to conjure up a squad that can survive the relegation battle. Eddie Howe has been appointed and has the sole purpose to save the club from sinking into the Championship. The English manager has been working hard to identify targets in the transfer window and one of the targets could be Everton defender Mason Holgate.

Newcastle United sit 19th in the table with 11 points in 19 games. After the Saudi takeover of the club, the Toons will get significant financial backing in the transfer windows that will allow them to spend big and acquire players that wouldn’t usually be on their lists.

Newcastle have managed to sign Kieran Trippier for £12 million from Atletico Madrid. The North Eastern club even tried to sign Lucas Digne from Everton. The French full back is likely to leave the Toffees in this window after falling out with Rafa Benitez. However, Digne doesn’t see the proposition of playing for Newcastle too attractive and has turned down their approach.

Howe is concentrating on improving the defence and evaluating his targets. In central defence, Newcastle are pushing for Sven Botman. As per Fabrizio Romano, Botman has been Newcastle’s first target and a bid has been submitted. However, LOSC Lille are hoping to keep hold of the player until June.

Mason Holgate could depart from Everton

This could possibly shift Howe’s attention to signing another centre back and as per reports Holgate could be on his shortlist. According to journalist Pete O’Rourke (via Give Me Sport), Holgate’s time at Goodison Park could come to an end as he could be on Howe’s list of potential targets.

The Magpies have the joint-worst defensive record, conceding 42 goals in 19 games. Holgate could be a defensive option that interests the Toons.  The 24 year old has slipped down the pecking order under Rafa Benitez with Micheal Keane, Yerry Mina and Ben Godfrey comfortably ahead of him.

It is only due to Mina’s injury that Holgate is getting regular playing time and once the Colombian is fit, the former Barnsley man will likely drop out of the starting lineup. Holgate is a player whose level of performances have dropped massively in the last couple of seasons.

After the arrival of Carlo Ancelotti, Holgate did become a regular, impressing on several occasions. After picking up an injury in the 2020-21 pre-season against Preston North End, the 24 year old hasn’t been able to reiterate his dominance in defence and has largely been a squad rotational option.

Everton should be open to selling Holgate if a respectable offer arrives at the table. While the defence remains well stacked, the quality can still be upgraded to a much higher level and selling Holgate will propel the Toffees to go into the market to sign a better and more efficient defender. He’s valued at £16.2 million by Transfrmarkt and should command a reasonable fee in a similar region.

Should Everton sell Mason Holgate?