Rangers, Middlesbrough and Watford are in a three-way race to sign on-loan Everton defender Mason Holgate in January, sources have told Football Insider.
Football Insider revealed on Monday (11 December) that the Merseysiders want to recall Holgate, 27, in the January transfer window due to a lack of action at Southampton.
Everton want the centre-back to be playing more regularly and are keen to terminate his loan and then find him a new club in January.
It is believed Rangers, Middlesbrough and Watford are all very keen on Holgate and have been alerted to the possibility of a January deal.
The centre-back has only started four games for Championship club Southampton since joining on a season-long loan in the summer window.
Russell Martin’s side have won just one of the four games the England Under-21 international has started.
Holgate, who earns a reported £70,000-a-week wage at Goodison Park, is out of contract at Everton in June 2025.
He made just nine appearances across all competitions last term and must now face joining another second-tier outfit in January after struggling for game time yet again.
Holgate has made 149 total appearances for Everton since joining the club from Barnsley in 2015.
Rangers sit second in the Scottish Premiership and could proceed to the knockout stages of the Europa League with a win over Real Betis on Thursday (14 December).
Middlesbrough and Watford are both hovering close to a play-off place in the Championship despite a miserable start to the 2023-24 campaign for the two sides.
In other news, major update on new Rangers director of football.
