Sheffield United closing in on January transfer breakthrough after Everton defender's Blades medical

Sheffield United are closing in on a January transfer breakthrough after defender Mason Holgate underwent a medical at United's Shirecliffe training ground. The defender's temporary spell at Southampton will be cut short and bar any late hitches, the 27-year-old will join United on loan ahead of the second half of the season.

Boss Chris Wilder had made centre-half cover a priority in the closing days of the transfer window, with injuries to John Egan and Chris Basham leaving Anel Ahmedhodzic as United's only right-footed centre-half. United have already signed Ben Brereton Diaz and Ivo Grbic in this transfer window, with the Holgate deal expected to complete their business this window.

Boss Wilder was tight-lipped about transfer business this afternoon in his pre-Aston Villa press conference but Sean Dyche, the Everton boss, spoke about Holgate's move earlier today. "There's a possibility," he said of Holgate moving to United. "It's in the process and we'll see. It is looking likely from their point of view and it's a very favourable deal for this football club."

Clubs in Germany were also keen on signing Doncaster-born Holgate, who was a target for United in the summer but moved to Championship promotion-chasers Southampton. He has played over 120 times in the Premier League since moving to Everton from Barnsley back in 2015, and is a former England U21 international who is also capable of playing right-back as well as right centre-half.