By Pete O'Rourke, Transfer Correspondent

31st Jan, 2023 | 7:47pm

Sources: MK Dons pull out of deal for Everton star Reece Welch

Everton defender Reece Welch has seen his proposed move to MK Dons fall through at the eleventh hour, sources have told Football Insider.

Welch, 19, was poised to make the move to League One side MK Dons after being given the green light to go out on loan by Everton.

Football Insider sources revealed earlier today that Welch had agreed terms to complete a loan move to MK Dons.

However, the deal is now off with MK Dons pulling out after learning that another target had become available.

The England Under-20 international is highly-regarded at Everton and made his first-team debut in the FA Cup against Boreham Wood last season.

Welch first joined the Toffees academy aged seven and worked his way through the various youth teams to earn himself a three-year professional contract in 2020.

First-team opportunities proved hard to come by for the youngster, with Everton boasting a well-stacked roster of defenders.

But Frank Lampard eventually gave Welch his opportunity in the Boreham Wood cup clash earlier this season.

Alongside his impressive rise at Everton, Welch has made considerable progress with the England youth setup, featuring for the Three Lions at Under-16s level all the way to the Under-20s.

While he has struggled for first-team minutes at Goodison Park, Welch became a regular for Everton’s Under-21s in the Premier League 2.

He has played 13 times in the competition for a total of 1,100 minutes, while also making four appearances in the EFL Trophy this season.

In other news, Derby County agree deal to sign Tottenham youngster Harvey White