Everton close to signing Mason Holgate from Barnsley
Thursday 13 August 2015 14:40, UK
Defender Mason Holgate has completed a medical at Everton ahead of a proposed move from Barnsley, according to Sky sources.
It is understood a figure in the region of £2m has been agreed between the clubs and the player is expected at the Toffees' Finch Farm training ground to finalise his personal terms on Wednesday afternoon.
Sky sources understand that fellow Premier League side Bournemouth were also interested in the highly-rated youngster and had made an offer to Barnsley to sign him themselves.
But Holgate turned down their offer of £2,000 per week - he was on £700 a week at Barnsley - and is believed to be have been offered more at Goodison Park.
The last time Everton signed a player from Barnsley, they captured the now fully-fledged England international John Stones in a £3m deal in January 2013.
Stones, 21, is understood to be of interested to Chelsea this summer but Everton are determined to keep their first-choice centre-half.
Holgate, meanwhile, is just 18 years old and made 22 appearances for Barnsley last term - his first full season in the first-team.
Holgate rose through Barnsley's youth ranks and made his senior debut in 2014.