According to a bizarre and slightly baffling ‘exclusive’ from Football Insider, Newcastle are eyeing up a £14m move for Everton defender Mason Holgate.
While he is young and talented- meaning he ticks two boxes when it comes to Mike Ashley’s tedious transfer policy – this January transfer rumours makes little sense.
Football Insider’s Pete O’Rourke claims Bruce is attracted to his versatility – he can play at centre-back or right-back – but states we are “keen to strengthen our defence” in the new year; and that I’m struggling with.
Bruce used to be a centre-back, so I’m sure he’s a fan of good defenders, however he already has too many to choose from in his current squad.
We have SIX capable central defenders in Lascelles, Schar, Fernandez, Lejeune, Dummett and three senior right-backs in Yedlin, Manquillo and Krafth, so I’m at a loss as to where Holgate could possibly fit in.
Not only that, a £14m deal hardly means he’d be arriving on the cheap either, with that sort of money surely far better used to sign a striker to help out Joelinton or winger to ease the pressure on ASM and Almiron’s shoulders?
Last but not least, Everton are currently without a manager but have started Holgate in their last SEVEN league games, so I don’t see how they’d be in a position to sell next month.
There might just be something in this, but I’d be shocked if there was.
Maybe Matty Longstaff could be that fringe player
Paul Lowther(Quote)