Hibs transfer latest: Club chiefs make Ryan Porteous decision ahead of Scottish Cup derby with Hearts

Hibs are yet to accept any offers for defender Ryan Porteous, with three clubs keen on the 23-year-old who looks set to depart Easter Road this month.

But whatever happens over the next couple of days, the influential centre-back will not be sold before Sunday’s Scottish Cup fourth-round meeting with city rivals Hearts. Porteous missed the last derby earlier this month through suspension, and Hibs struggled without his presence in defence as they fell to a 3-0 defeat at Tynecastle Park on January 2.

English Championship side Blackburn Rovers have lodged a bid for the Scotland internationalist, while Hibs remain in talks with Toulouse and Udinese. It was reported earlier this week in the Italian media that the Serie A side are stepping up their efforts to tempt the player to Friuli-Venezia Giulia after seeing defender Bram Nuytinck join Sampdoria, while the French outfit are also keen on adding Porteous to their ranks after failing in an approach for Celtic centre-back Stephen Welsh in the last transfer window.

There has been plenty of attention afforded to Porteous. Belgian side KV Oostende were credited with an interest along with Udinese’s league rivals Bologna, who signed Aaron Hickey from Hearts and Lewis Ferguson from Aberdeen, while numerous English Championship clubs as well as Blackburn were said to be keeping tabs on the situation. In January 2021 Hibs turned down a reported £1 million offer for the player from Millwall while also fending off interest from Birmingham City in striker Kevin Nisbet, who has his admirers after netting seven goals in six games since returning from a serious knee injury and a ten-month spell on the sidelines.

Hibs won't let Ryan Porteous leave before Sunday's Scottish Cup derby

Speaking earlier this month, Hibs chief executive Ben Kensell hailed Porteous as a ‘fantastic servant’, adding: “We’ve had nothing but positive conversations throughout. Ryan is likely to leave in this window and there are several options for him to choose from. We’re looking to strike the best deal possible for the club, whilst also keeping an eye on the best possible deal for Ryan.”

Hibs will secure a fee for Porteous if he leaves this month, but the player could also opt to run his contract down and move in the summer. But however talks progress, he won’t be going anywhere before Sunday’s showdown.