Hibernian manager Lee Johnson has indicated that Ryan Porteous could be set for a big pay rise should the Scotland international join Sunderland or West Brom in the New Year, speaking to Edinburgh Live.
After spending his entire career so far in the Scottish Premiership, Porteous appears intent on a fresh start and a change of scenery.
“I do like the idea of moving to a different league and testing myself there,” the 23-year-old explains. “I think there’s a lot of boys that have left Scottish football and flourished. Whether that be down south or abroad.
“I do really like the idea of moving to a different league and challenging myself. I’ve been here for a long time. Maybe it comes to that stage in everyone’s career where you need to be taken out of your comfort zone.”
Interest from England’s second tier, then, is likely to appeal more to Porteous than even the likes of Rangers. Championship clubs are already lining up to make the defender’s dream of a new adventure into a reality; Sunderland, West Bromwich Albion and Norwich City among them (The Sun).
Sunderland and West Brom like Scotland international Ryan Porteous
And Johnson, who spent 13 months at the Stadium of Light before being sacked in January, highlights another potential advantage English clubs have in pursuit of Porteous.
“Naturally there is interest,” Johnson explains. “I don’t know whether that will turn into solid interest or not. As far as I’m aware there hasn’t been a written offer to take him off our hands. But there’s interest from the UK. Let’s say England and abroad.
“I know the English Championship and I know what they pay. It is probably five or six times what we pay. So a lot of money could be on offer for an out-of-contract international coming up to his 24th birthday.”
Porteous, capped once by Scotland, will be a free-agent next summer.
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