By Pete O'Rourke, Transfer Correspondent

27th Jul, 2023 | 3:43pm

Sources: Leeds United and Southampton make moves to sign Mason Holgate

Leeds United, Sheffield United and Southampton have all made loan enquiries for Everton defender Mason Holgate, sources have told Football Insider.

Football Insider revealed on 26th June that the Toffees have agreed to let Holgate go on loan next season.

Boss Sean Dyche has told the 26-year-old he is free to complete a season long loan.

Holgate still has two years remaining on his contract with the Merseyside club.

The defender has found it difficult to make an impact under the new boss after previously cementing himself as player of the year under former boss Carlo Ancelotti.

One potential issue is Holgate’s wages, which automatically increase this summer to £72,000-a-week.

The pay rise was inserted into the five-year contract signed by the defender in March 2020 when Marcel Brands was the Everton sporting director.

Holgate made just nine appearances last term in a season that saw the Merseysiders narrowly avoid relegation on the final day of a dramatic campaign.

The centre-back arrived at Everton from Barnsley in 2015 and has made almost 150 appearances since his arrival, netting five goals and offering up five assists across those outings.

Newly promoted Sheffield United and newly relegated Leeds and Southampton are all in the market for defensive reinforcements this summer.

Sheffield United are attempting to take another crack at the top flight after finishing second in the Championship last season.

They return to the top flight after two years in the second division and will be hoping to last longer than the two seasons they managed last time the won promotion.

Leeds are in need of reinforcements after losing several of their key players to loan moves following their relegation from the Premier League.

In other news, Everton in pole position to agree £20m signing.