Many Newcastle United fans have been reacting on social media, after the Mirror credited the Magpies with an interest in Everton defender Mason Holgate.
The Toffees ace is one of a handful of potential options for the club to begin targeting, after head coach Steve Bruce met with owner Mike Ashley for only the third time in the hope of receiving backing to sign “one or two” game-changers.
Ashley had remained in the North East to discuss the club’s January plans with Bruce, having watched United progress into the FA Cup Fourth Round with a 4-1 replay win over Rochdale.
Discussions remain ongoing regarding a potential move for RB Leipzig forward Ademola Lookman, with the Bundesliga outfit chasing an outright £20million fee rather than a loan deal, though the former Everton man is not our only target.
United’s scouts are heavily monitoring the European market, feeling that the players needed are not in the Premier League or Championship, and have looked at PSV Eindhoven’s Cody Gakpo.
But Holgate is a player thought to be of interest to Bruce, though there is no indication as of yet that the gaffer will pursue the 23-year-old centre-half.
Would you sign Holgate?
Yes
No
Holgate had been linked with a potential move to St. James’ Park in December, as his versatility to play in central defence or in a wing-back role stood out as one of his major assets.
It was suggested that Everton would demand around £14m for the Doncaster-born ace, who has firmly established himself in the first-team at Goodison Park this season with 13 successive league starts since matchday ten.
AFC Bournemouth, Burnley and Sheffield United were also credited with an interest in Holgate last summer as Deadline Day neared, when it was thought the Merseyside outfit valued the Barnsley product at £10m.
Holgate has averaged 1.5 successful tackles from 2.0 attempts per 90 minutes across his 15 Premier League appearances this season, per WhoScored data, alongside 1.1 interceptions, 3.0 clearances and wins 1.7 of his 3.3 aerial duels.
Here are some of the messages shared as fans reacted to the latest reports claiming Bruce is interested in Everton defender Holgate…
WE HAVE SIX GOOD CENTREBACKS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! (And no good strikers)
— Andrew Neill (@andrewsneill) January 17, 2020
Exactly the type of player MA will want to buy, in 3-4 seasons will be worth double that fee
— leechristie (@leechristie1981) January 17, 2020
Not an area of priority, but for that price it’d be a good deal. I’d say revisit in the Summer, but I think his value will increase by then having played regularly under Ancelotti
— Callum Irving (@NUFCIrving1010) January 17, 2020
No thanks
— Joe Smith (@joe_smith_0) January 17, 2020
So according to the mirror, Bruce went into the meeting ready to ask for 2 game changing players and came out with a 10m offer for mason holgate 😂
— Cory Jay Graham (@Coryjgraham) January 17, 2020
No chance he will go for £10 million. Would be a good fit at rb/rwb.
— Me (@newcastlefan55) January 17, 2020
10 mil? 😅
— ℙ𝕒𝕦𝕝 𝕎𝕚𝕝𝕝𝕚𝕒𝕞𝕤 (@willow_71uk) January 17, 2020
Yes, defence is definitely where we need strengthening 🤦♂️
— Scottie Talks Sports (@scottiesports) January 17, 2020
One for the summer maybe but he’s not needed yet
— colin oliver (@100Magpie) January 17, 2020
In other Newcastle United news, it has been claimed that a host of lower-league sides are showing an interest in a 6ft Toon man.