Sheffield United are reportedly hoping that Mason Holgate’s existing relationship with manager Paul Heckingbottom will help them beat Nottingham Forest to his signature.
The Toffees centre-back is being linked with a move away from Goodison Park this summer with the Reds and the Blades said to be interested.
Holgate made just nine first team appearances for Everton last season and appears to be surplus to requirements. He joined the Merseysiders from Barnsley in 2015.
And amid claims by talkSPORT that he is in "advanced talks" to sign for Sheffield United, the Star claim that Holgate's previous experience of working with Heckingbotom at Barnsley is expected to come into play.
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The 26-year-old revealed he kept in touch with Heckingbottom and remains indebted to him for his early work. “I have worked with Hecky since under-16s level,” he said previously.
“It seemed that whenever I went up an age, he did as well. He was a coach in the first team when I was there and I would say he has had the biggest impact on my career. I still phone and speak to him now. He watches my games, still gives me advice and tells me what I should be doing.
“When I was at Barnsley, Hecky and I used to do a lot of one-on-one work to improve my all-round game. We would watch clips together and stay behind to do extra work, all geared towards helping me get to the next level. I thank him for that, and Danny Wilson, who gave me my first-team debut.
“In lower divisions, it is hard to find a manager that will play young people. He gave me a chance and I took it. He did not have to keep playing me because when I got my opportunity it was only through injuries and suspensions. Once I did well, he kept me in. I was only 17 at that time so for him to keep faith was encouraging.”
