Manchester City are interested in signing Everton defender Mason Holgate, according to reports in England. Manager Pep Guardiola is looking to strengthen his centre-back options ahead of next season and the 24-year-old has been identified as a potential target.
It is even thought that John Stones could be offered the chance to return to Goodison Park with a suggestion that the 26-year-old may be used in a part-exchange deal.
Supporters would not be keen on swapping Stones for Holgate:
Not an upgrade, no thanks
— Callum (@callmatthews) June 27, 2020
Please no no
— Did you see? (@fredijeh) June 27, 2020
I'd rather keep Stones.
— Gaúcho (@YungHusband_) June 27, 2020
We need two defenders this window. If it’s koulibaly and holgate, that would be solid. He’s less error prone that stones which is a plus.
— Mohammed Al-Thani (@mbaalthani8) June 27, 2020
No thanks.
— Kevin child (@Kevinchild6) June 27, 2020
No just no
— Jayden Navarrette⚡ (@JN36_MCFC) June 27, 2020
Plz no more cbs from Everton FC ??
— Satinder Pal Singh (@XnghSatinderPal) June 27, 2020
stop dealing with everton thx
— Naz ? (Selling Mendy for £45.99) (@NazMCFC) June 27, 2020
Stones is better than him, no thanks
— Birty (@_Birty) June 27, 2020
You can understand the thinking behind the interest in Holgate on one level. The 23-year-old is a good passer of the ball, but at 6ft tall, he is hardly a towering presence at the back.
If he was brought in alongside another more authoritative, commanding centre-half, it would probably make more sense, but it remains to be seen whether City will indeed splash the cash on two new centre-backs this summer.