Celtic transfer news: Ange Postecoglou makes decision on Stephen Welsh

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Celtic gaffer Ange Postecoglou is ready to let Stephen Welsh leave Parkhead in the January transfer window. The defender has started to earn interest amid his difficult season so far.

That is according to Sky Sports, which reports teams in Europe and MLS are tracking the 22-year-old’s situation. Postecoglou is a fan of Welsh but has only fielded him in six games across all competitions this term. He has also not featured since October 8 at St Johnstone.

So, Postecoglou is now willing to let Welsh leave should Celtic receive an appropriate offer for his transfer in January. For as much as he appreciates the Bhoys product’s potential, he also understands the Coatbridge-born enforcer’s desire to earn regular minutes to develop.

Celtic will now listen to any approach for Welsh’s transfer in January after fending off a bid by Toulouse last summer. Sky Sports adds the Ligue 1 side sought to sign the centre-back on loan. The move would have included an option for Le Tefece to then buy him for £3.5m.

Udinese also explored his situation last January but failed to convince Celtic to grant Welsh a transfer. Yet he has since fallen further in Postecoglou’s pecking order. The Hoops added Moritz Jenz on loan from FC Lorient and have now signed Yuki Kobayashi from Vissel Kobe.

Celtic will demand a sizeable fee to grant Stephen Welsh a transfer in January

Unnamed Major League Soccer outfits are now rivalling European clubs with an interest in Welsh’s transfer from Celtic in January. The Scotsman cites 1.HNL side HNK Hajduk Split as one of his European suitors. It also notes that Udinese could revive their interest in a deal.

Udinese are currently favouring a move for Hibernian’s summer free agent Ryan Porteous over another attempt to sign Welsh. Further, it adds that Celtic would demand a sizeable fee for their academy product as the Scotland Under-21 international is under contract to 2025.

Welsh is one of the lowest earners in the Celtic squad with a £4.5k-a-week deal, per Salary Sport. But he has previously impressed Postecoglou with the Australian lauding him as an ‘outstanding’ defender last year. Yet Welsh has faced a fight to force his way into the side.