Sheffield United are targeting Hibernian defender Ryan Porteous as we approach the January transfer window, according to Yorkshire Live.
The 23-year-old has told Hibs that he will not be renewing his contract and he only has 6 months left on his current deal.
Porteous is well known to Sheffield United manager Paul Heckingbottom – he coached the defender back in 2019 during his spell with the Scottish side. Heckingbottom will hope that their previous working relationship makes United a top priority for the right-footed centre-back.
He is also part of the senior Scotland national team, however, he has only made 1 international appearance at senior level. He has represented them at u19, u20 and u21’s level.
Ryan Porteous graduated from the Hibernian football academy in 2016, he is rated highly in Scottish football since he has stepped up to the senior game.
Along with Sheffield United, the two giants of Scottish football Rangers and Celtic are also interested in signing the 23-year-old.
Porteous is comfortable on the ball – he averages a 90% passing accuracy from inside his own half. His long-range passing is an effective weapon – Porteous has recorded 7.8 successful long balls per game so far this season. Additionally, the centre-back has registered 1.2 key passes per game in the Scottish Premier League in this campaign.
Currently, Anel Ahmedhodzic is Sheffield United’s only senior defender that still has his prime years ahead of him. The rest are over the age of 28. Porteous would add quality, whilst lowering the average age of their current centre-back core.