Everton have been one of the most active clubs during this winter transfer window; incomings and outgoings have been plentiful early into January, and with over two weeks left, the Toffees could be set to offload another player.

What's the word?

Journalist, Peter O'Rourke, has taken to his Twitter account to confirm that two clubs are interested in signing Everton defender, Mason Holgate.

O'Rourke Tweeted: "French duo Monaco and Nice as well as an unnamed Premier League club are chasing Everton defender Mason Holgate on loan. #EFC #ASMonaco #OGNice."

Holgate has been linked with a move away from the Merseyside club this January, with Burnley also rumoured to be interested in the centre back and there has been talk of a loan offer from Trabzonspor already knocked back by the club.

Benitez must axe Holgate

Holgate has been a liability for the Toffees this season, with his reckless challenge on Pierre-Emile Hojbjerg after just ten minutes on the pitch against Tottenham putting the side down to ten men.

Worryingly, that came during a time where the team were dealing with an injury crisis, furthering the lack of availability to the squad after receiving a three-match ban.

Speaking on The Royal Blues podcast, journalist David Prentice, reflected on Holgate's lacklustre showings, saying:

"It worries me, how sloppy, how lethargic he looks on occasions."

The defender has been given the opportunity to play more for the side, as Yerry Mina has been injured for a large chunk of the season, but has proven in his performances that he doesn't have what it takes to be reliable or impactful to the side.

According to SofaScore, in the Premier League this season, Holgate loses possession over 13 times per game on average, is losing the majority of his ground duels this season (55%), and is the worst-rated defender in the squad with just an average rating of 6.54 over eight appearances.

As a result, Benitez should brutally axe the £64k-per-week flop, and capitalise on the opportunity to offload him should clubs make an offer for him in this transfer window.

With the boost of Mina back in training this week, it is unlikely that the club would miss Holgate in the second half of the season and beyond.

In other news: Everton make contact with AS Monaco’s Aleksandr Golovin