CHERRIES are reportedly close to finalising a deal for sought-after Barnsley teenager Mason Holgate.

The 18-year-old is said to have been given permission to discuss personal terms with Cherries after a bid of around £500,000 was accepted by the Tykes.

Defender Holgate trained with Manchester United during pre-season and has also attracted interest from Everton, Aston Villa and Swansea.

If he were to leave Oakwell, Holgate would follow in the footsteps of John Stones, who joined Everton from Barnsley for £3million in January 2013 and is now rumoured to be on the verge of a £30m move to Chelsea.

Doncaster-born Holgate made 22 appearances and scored once during his breakthrough campaign for Barnsley in League One last season.

He was left out of the Barnsley squad for Saturday’s 3-1 defeat at Chesterfield and did not feature in tonight’s League Cup clash at Scunthorpe.

Barnsley boss Lee Johnson told the Sheffield Star: “Mason’s a great young talent and I’d like to think he’d stay at the club to play regular football, but it’s up to the player.

“There’s no secret there’s been a lot of interest and speculation about Mason. I just want him to play his football and continue where he left off last season, but interest from Premier League clubs turns your head.

“If you were a kid and a team like Manchester United came in for you, then you’d probably find it very hard to refuse if they offered you a deal. It would be most kids’ dream.

“All young players have aspirations to play at the highest level – and I’m sure Mason is no different.”