Loads of Everton fans have been reacting on social media to reports by Football Insider, suggesting Manchester City have made Mason Holgate their top summer transfer target.
Pep Guardiola is keen to acquire another centre-half in the upcoming market and is adamant that whoever arrives at the Etihad Stadium must come with Premier League experience.
Holgate has become a mainstay of our first-team this term, despite starting the season as Marco Silva’s third-choice option, with the 23-year-old featuring in all of our Premier League fixtures played since beating West Ham United 2-0 on October 19.
The former England U21 international has now amassed 50 starts in 102 top-flight outings throughout his still raw career, while helping goalkeeper Jordan Pickford to keep three clean sheets when in the opening line-up in 2019/20.
Neither of our more experienced centre-halves Yerry Mina or Michael Keane have averaged more successful tackles per 90 minutes this league season, as well, with Holgate boasting 1.9 from 2.3, per WhoScored.
Holgate also shares a joint-lead among our recognised centre-back ranks for shots blocked (0.6) and outright lead for passes blocked (0.5), successful dribbles (0.4), accurate long passes (4.8) and is second for interceptions (1.3), clearances (3.8) and key passes (0.2).
Could Holgate cut it at Man City next season?
Yes
No
Football Insider’s claims of interest in Holgate from the Etihad Stadium has been supported by the Mirror, who suggest the Toffees value our 6 ft 1 centre-half at £30million.
The national newspaper also claim that Guardiola sees Holgate as a realistic target to help strengthen his backline next season, having been stretched thin this term whilst Aymeric Laporte was sidelined after knee surgery, and is now expected to be without the Frenchman again for the next month after he developed a hamstring strain in Wednesday Champions League win over Real Madrid.
The Mirror also propose that City could look to reduce their spend on Holgate by offering us John Stones, which would see the England international return to Goodison Park four years after leaving in a £47.5m transfer.
Here are some of the messages shared as fans reacted to City’s interest in Holgate…
No surprise if we’re being honest. One of the best ball playing CB’s in the league and he’s on his way to the top. https://t.co/X7lI0dMOxv
— EF (@efcfootbalI) February 27, 2020
Is he really that good? Let’s be honest
— Groucho Marx (@GrouchoMarxxxxx) February 28, 2020
As if he’s guna leave playing in Europe to play just on a Saturday and for the league cup https://t.co/vuIaPUic0c
— Martin (@martin_0151) February 27, 2020
Hahahaha City don’t want to FFP 😂
— Gilroy (@AlexGilroyElbow) February 27, 2020
Please don’t do this to me 😭 I hate love I really do https://t.co/GIMmwEbCSU
— Man Of Steel (@SMP1821) February 27, 2020
No chance
— aikenj897@gmail.com (@aikenj897) February 27, 2020
He will be as good as John Stones was so £75 mil let’s do it 😩😩😩👀👀👀 https://t.co/cfGjbdZCQA
— abbot55 (@abbot551) February 27, 2020
Richie to Barca Dom to man united Keane to spurs and holgate to city🤔😂ok next ….
— ancelotti_bluewhitearmy (@carlos_bluearmy) February 27, 2020
City don’t have the money anymore😂😂 https://t.co/h1LxWs3rUj
— Magnolia (@_griffooo) February 28, 2020
Will stay with us due to Champions League ambitions I think
— evertxn (@EvertxnBlue) February 27, 2020
In other Everton news, the club were unsuccessful in winter moves for a one-time league winner.