Exclusive: Plymouth Argyle work on deal to sign Everton’s Reece Welch after green light
Plymouth Argyle are working on a deal to sign Everton defender Reece Welch this month, sources have told Football Insider.
The Merseysiders have given the green light to the 22-year-old going out on loan for the second half of the season.
Welch, who is into the final year of his contract at Everton, has been named in the bench for several Premier League games this season.
He has previously had two loan spells at Forest Green and Belgian side KMSK Deinze and Everton believe a loan is the best move for his development.
Reece Welch has previous EFL experience
Welch has proven to be a wanted man by multiple EFL clubs in recent weeks.
The centre-back, who has been on the bench for Everton’s last five Premier League games, has previous experience in the English lower tiers after being loaned to Forest Green in the 2023-24 campaign.
Welch has also made his first-team debut for the Toffees, coming on as a subsitute in their 2-0 win over Boreham Wood in the FA Cup back in the 2021-22 campaign.
Since then, he has gone on to make his full Everton debut, as he started in the 1-0 win over Fleetwood Town in the Carabao Cup back in August 2022.
Reece Welch will make his full debut tonight 👏#CarabaoCup pic.twitter.com/C6QapdC02W
— Everton (@Everton) August 23, 2022
Football Insider revealed in December that Sheffield Wednesday wanted Welch to help reinforce their backline.
However, Plymouth are now aiming to beat the Owls to the deal, as the Pilgrims look to move further away from the relegation zone.
How good is Welch?
Based on his performances in the Premier League 2 this season, Welch looks to be a highly capable defender.
According to Fotmob on 9 January, he has won 71.4 per cent of his duels, and is averaging 1.89 tackles and 5.03 recoveries per match.
| Reece Welch’s Premier League 2 stats this season | Per 90 minutes |
| Passing accuracy | 82% |
| Dispossessed | 0 |
| Tackles | 1.89 |
| Duels won | 71.4% |
| Recoveries | 5.03 |
| Interceptions | 1.26 |
Therefore, if these qualities can be utilised by Plymouth, it could help clog up their leaky backline that has already conceded 39 goals in League One this season.
For Welch, it will also be another step up, after previously playing in League Two for Forest Green Rovers.
Now, both parties will be hoping to get the deal done as the defender aims to continue his development into a top player.