French club Toulouse have emerged as contenders to sign Hibernian defender Ryan Porteous. The Ligue 1 outfit had scoured the Scottish market in the summer and had selected Celtic’s Stephen Welsh as a potential new signing.
According to the Sun, Toulouse are the latest side to show interest in the Scotland Internationalist as he looks set to depart Easter Road this transfer window. Hibs are chasing a fee for the highly-rated central defender and have been drumming up interest in the last few weeks. Celtic, however, have not been interested in the player due to the depth to the position.
Greg Taylor and Stephen Welsh, Celtic against Aberdeen on flag day.(Photo by Steve Welsh/Getty Images)
Toulouse attempted to purchase Welsh in the summer but were rebuffed with Ange seeing the player as part of the first team picture. Welsh is now on the periphery of the first team but will still back himself to be a success going forward with the Scottish Champions.
Welsh, 22, is reportedly close to exiting Celtic this month as the Coatbridge Bhoy looks for first team opportunities in the second half of the season. The central defender is clearly highly thought of at Celtic but is behind Cameron Carter-Vickers, Carl Starfelt and Moritz Jenz in the defensive hierarchy with Yuki Kobayashi arriving.
