Exclusive: Everton in talks to agree Reece Welch deal with Scottish club
Hibernian are in talks with Everton over a loan deal for defender Reece Welch as they look to bring in a centre-back before today’s transfer deadline, sources have told Football Insider.
Kieron Bowie completed a £6million move to Hellas Verona last week, leaving Hibs with significant funds to utilise before the window closes.
David Gray’s team are fifth in the Scottish Premiership, and will be keen to strengthen as much as possible after four consecutive games without victory.
Hibernian are close to completing a deal to sign Felix Passlack, with the defender’s arrival expected to be confirmed on Monday.
And last week, Football Insider revealed that Hibernian have signed Coventry City midfielder Kai Andrews on loan until the end of the season.
Reece Welch set for further loan move
Welch, 22, has been in and around the Everton first team for some time, making the matchday squad on several occasions this season.
The defender’s debut for the Toffees came against Boreham Wood in the FA Cup in 2022, and he made a further appearance in the same year in the Carabao Cup.
His next appearance for Everton did not come until this year, when he featured for four minutes off the bench in the FA Cup penalty loss to Sunderland.
Welch is nearing on 100 appearances for the Under-21s, and has been on loan just twice over the last couple of years.
The 22-year-old spent five months with Forest Green Rovers in the 2023-24 season, and spent just over three with Belgian side KMSK Deinze last season, making just three appearances.
He will now have a new chance to prove his ability in senior football, however, with Hibernian offering a superb opportunity to play his part in a high-intensity run-in.
Welch fighting for Everton future
Should Welch not impress at Hibernian, he will be unlikely to immediately have a club to return to.
His Everton contract has just six months remaining, and an extension looks unlikely unless the defender can impress elsewhere.
Of course, the Toffees could hand the 22-year-old a new contract before he departs on loan to protect his value, but there appears little chance of that at the moment.
Instead, should his loan move materialise, Welch will face a six month test to prove his ability to compete at the level Everton require.