The race to sign Celtic defender Stephen Welsh is heating up, according to reports.

The Hoops have a decision to make over the future of the young centre-back ahead of the upcoming January transfer window.

The Scotland U21 star is attracting interest from clubs in England, as well as across the continent in Italy and France.

The Daily Record now say that Porto have registered an interest in the 22-year-old as well.

Welsh was the subject of a bid from Toulouse during the summer months. 

However, this was knocked back by the club at the time.

The Scot has made just six appearances this term for Ange Postecoglou's champions though, so it is widely thought that he could be allowed to leave either permanently or on loan in the coming weeks.

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Yuki Kobayashi, another central defender, has been signed ahead of the January window opening on New Years day.

He joins Welsh, alongside Cameron Carter-Vickers, Carl Starfelt and Moritz Jenz as Celtic's centre-half options.

There are also question marks over the futures of both Josip Juranovic and Giorgos Giakoumakis.

Alastair Johnston has been signed after impressing for Canada at the World Cup in Qatar.

It's been reported that Celtic will now look to cash in on in-demand Juranovic, who was outstanding for Croatia in the Middle East too. The likes of Torino, Roma, Atletico Madrid and Espanyol have all been linked with a move.

On Giakoumakis, he's reportedly grown fed up of Scottish weather and is looking to a new challenge in his career after contract talks with the club recently broke down.

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