Everton defender Reece Welch was heavily linked with a switch to Reading this summer, but Football Insider are now reporting his is close to a move to a second-tier club in Belgium.
Reading, along with Leyton Orient and Bradford City, were keen on securing the 20-year-old’s services before the transfer window closed last Friday, but a deal wasn’t done with any of the three clubs, leaving the Toffeemen to find an alternative home for their young talent.
Despite Reading’s interest, a move to the Madejski Stadium didn’t materialise, and Welch is now set to continue his development in Belgium’s second-tier with the elaborately named Koninklijke Maatschappij Sportkring Deinze, known simply as Deinze. The East Flanders club, which plays in the Challenger Pro League is home to former Bolton Wanderers midfielder Steve de Ridder. They play in a 7,500-capacity stadium named Dakota Arena and are riding high at the top of the table at present, hunting a first promotion to the top flight in their history.
They’re now giving the 20-year-old a medical, as he had not secured a move within England before Friday’s deadline. The defender has been at Everton since the age of seven and has progressed through the Toffees’ academy. After making his senior debut in the FA Cup in 2022, he spent last season on loan at Forest Green Rovers, where he made 23 appearances before being recalled in January, prior to the club’s relegation from League Two.
Reading, under a transfer embargo, were unable to secure new faces ahead of the season, a situation which may have prevented them from signing the Everton man. They were able to add Chem Campbell to their ranks, but he has been their lone loan signing in a summer once again beset by issues off the field.
Hated chairman Dai Yongge has still not sold the club, despite protracted interest from former Wycombe Wanderers chairman Rob Couhig.
Writers View
This would have been a solid signing for Reading, but clearly they couldn’t get a deal over the line before the deadline passed. It’s clear why he didn’t move to Bradford, a swap into the same division as last season really isn’t progress.
A move to Deinze is an interesting one. There are a lot of young players from England who try their luck in the Netherlands and Belgium, two good leagues offering competitive football at a decent level. Although not top-flight, Deinze looks like a strong, well-run outfit on an upward trajectory, making it a good environment for a young player. Certainly, it’s a better environment than that provided by Yongge and Reading, despite the good work of head coach Ruben Selles.
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