Manchester City ‘considering £30m move for Everton defender Mason Holgate’ as they look for reinforcements at the back
- Manchester City are considering a move for Everton defender Mason Holgate
- The centre-back has become a regular since Carlo Ancelotti’s arrival at the club
- He has also shown versatility by operating as a holding midfielder and full-back
- Pep Guardiola has made signing a defender a priority ahead the next window
Manchester City are considering a move for Everton centre-back Mason Holgate in the summer transfer window as they look to strengthen their defensive options.
Pep Guardiola’s side have struggled at the back this season with key man Aymeric Laporte spending most of the campaign on the sidelines through injury.
Holgate, who can play in defence or as a holding midfielder, is a realistic target and would cost the club around £30million, according to The Mirror.
Manchester City are thought to be considering a £30million move for the Everton defender
Holgate has become a regular in the Toffees team and has impressed under Carlo Ancelotti
MASON HOLGATE STATS 2019/2020
Games: 25
Goals: 1
Assists: 3
Clean sheets: 5
The 23-year-old has been a regular for the Blues since Carlo Ancelotti arrive at the club after starting the season as back-up to Yerry Mina and Michael Keane. He has also shown his versatility with impressive performances in a holding midfield role.
Holgate returned to Everton in the summer after spending the second half of last season on-loan at Championship club West Brom.
His current contract with the Toffees runs until 2022 with the club eager to offer him a new deal.
But City have been keeping a close eye on the player with signing a defender a priority for Guardiola ahead of next season.
Laporte’s injury has forced the manager into playing Fernandinho as a makeshift centre-back alongside Nicolas Otamendi in Laporte’s absence.
The Frenchman recently returned to the team but limped off during Wednesday’s 2-1 Champions League victory over Real Madrid.
The out-of-favour John Stones did not even make the 18-man squad despite being fit and the England international’s future at the Etihad looks uncertain.
The Mirror’s report suggests City could offer Stones, who left Everton in 2016, back to the Toffees as part of any deal for Holgate.
The Blues signed Holgate from Barnsley for a fee of £2million in 2015 and he has also represented England at Under-20 and Under-21 level.
Former Everton defender John Stones could be offered as part of a deal to sign Holgate
The defender’s only goal of the season came in the club’s Carabao Cup victory over Watford
He also has three assists in all competitions and has shown versatility by filling in at midfield
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