Hibernian planning summer transfer swoop for Watford player | OneFootball

Hibernian are keen on a summer transfer move for Watford's Ryan Porteous.

Hibernian are looking to bring defender Ryan Porteous back to the club as he faces an uncertain future with Watford.

The 26-year-old joined the Hornets from Hibs in January 2023 for £450,000, and he has gone on to make over 75 appearances in a yellow shirt.

However, Porteous fell out of favour in the previous campaign, so he spent the second half of the season on loan at Preston North End, with the centre-back featuring 11 times for the Lilywhites.

Hibernian lining up summer move for Watford’s Ryan Porteous

Even though Tom Cleverley has since left Vicarage Road, with Paulo Pezzolano having taken over, it still appears as though Porteous could be on the move.

That’s after Herald Scotland revealed that Hibs are pushing to bring the player back north of the border.

They state that the offer of regular football could be key for Porteous as he looks to earn his place back in the Scotland squad ahead of the 2026 World Cup, although the Easter Road outfit may only have the finances for a loan deal instead of it being a full-time switch.

The Hibs academy graduate has played for Scotland at various youth levels, and he has won 12 caps for the senior side, which includes playing in Euro 2024, although it was a disappointing tournament for Porteous as he was shown a red card in the opening game loss to Germany.

Yet, Porteous has fallen down the pecking order for his country, to the extent that he didn’t make Steve Clarke’s for their recent international friendlies.

So, he knows he will need to get back to playing regularly if he wants to make the squad ahead of the World Cup in the USA, although Scotland still have work to do to qualify.

A fresh start could be ideal for Ryan Porteous and Watford

At 26, Porteous is at a stage in his career where he needs to be playing week in, week out, particularly when you consider his ambitions of playing for Scotland.

If that’s not going to happen, a move would benefit all parties, and a return to Easter Road would give Porteous the chance to get the game time he wants.

From Watford’s perspective, Porteous has been inconsistent since he joined, and Pezzolano may feel it’s the right time to let him go, as that will free up some more space and funds for him to bring his own players in.