EXCLUSIVE By Pete O’Rourke

Sheffield United have made an approach to Everton to sign Mason Holgate on loan, Football Insider can reveal.

Blades boss Chris Wilder is keen to strengthen his defensive options before the transfer window closes next week and has identified a move for the versatile defender, who is 22.

A United source has told Football Insider that the club have expressed an interest in taking Holgate for the upcoming campaign as they look to win the race for his signature.

This comes Football Insider revealed last month that West Bromwich Albion have enquired about re-signing Holgate on loan after a successful spell at the Hawthorns last season.

Holgate is down the pecking order at Goodison Park and, with Everton still looking to bring in new defensive recruits this summer, they could be open to loaning out the versatile defender.

Holgate spent the second half of last season on loan at West Brom, making 23 appearances as the Baggies reached the Championship play-off semi-finals.

New Baggies Slaven Bilic is keen to bring Holgate back to the Hawthorns before the close of the transfer window and play him at centre-back rather than right-back.



Everton’s stance with Holgate is likely to depend upon whether they succeed in recruiting a new senior defender before the window shuts.

They have been strongly linked with Chelsea star Kurt Zouma after his impressive spell on loan at Goodison Park last campaign.

In other Sheffield United news, Football Insider has been told by Darren Bent that the Blades may sign a Leeds United first teamer before the transfer deadline.