Ryan Porteous transfer latest as Italian giants Udinese ‘open talks’ with Hibernian over potential move

RYAN PORTEOUS has taken a step closer to his Hibs exit.
The talented defender has already made it known that he is leaving at the end of his deal.
Hibs boss Lee Johnson has previously made it clear that Porteous will not be signing a new deal at Easter Road.
He said: "The fact is and I’m probably better off just coming out with it, he ain’t signing a new contract.
"At the end of the day, we’ve offered a fantastic contract, a really big one for the football club and in my eyes a contract that should have been offered two-and-a-half years earlier for a player of that quality.
“I’ve got no issue with Ryan at all. He turned down the best contact we could offer and therefore is seeking pastures new.
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"I think potentially a January sale would be the best idea if we realise the fee, because at that point you can reinvest the money back into the club.
"That does not necessarily mean a replacement for Ryan Porteous, that could be giving a young player more on their contract.
"We can’t do anymore in terms of what we’ve done, the conversations have been good but he’s got a high profile and he is a young player on a free.
“If I was a Championship manager, and I have been in the past, he is the exact type of player I would be looking at. I know the wages the clubs I was at paid in the Championship and it’s high.
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"Put into the mix you have an agent that probably hasn’t had an income source from the likes of Ryan in the past and is seeing an opportunity to help Ryan and get him to where he believes he should be.
"This is unfortunately the nature of the beast.”
And SunSport previously told you that Udinese had joined the race for the out-of-contract star.
But now the move has reportedly taken another step.
According to BBC Sportsound, the Italian gaints have 'opened talks with the Easter Road club to discuss a move.
The new information was revealed in the build-up to the Edinburgh derby.
However, they claim that the two parties are still ‘some way away’ from an agreement.
And that the sticking point is the money that would be required to buy him outright in this window.
Keep up to date with ALL the latest news and transfers at the Scottish Sun football page