K.V. Mechelen are looking to sign Celtic's Stephen Welsh on a permanent deal after a successful loan.
The centre-back, 25, moved to Belgium on loan in January with game time at a premium during the first part of the season. Mechelen had an offer rejected for him last summer but persisted in the winter window and landed their man.
Welsh played 17 times for the Jupiler Pro League as they made it to the Conference League play-off group of the Belgian league split, although they ultimately failed to qualify for Europe.
He is due to return for Hoops pre-season but has impressed his loan club enough that they are looking to try and sign him permanently, reports the Daily Record.
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Mechelen sporting director Dennis Henderickx has reportedly made Welsh a transfer priority for the summer window.
However, his performances have also caught the eye of other clubs and they face competition from within Belgium and also other European clubs.
The defender scored his first goal for Mechelen against FCV Dender at the weekend.
Previously speaking on his spell, he said: “I have loved every minute of it.
“I think it is the best thing I have done, it is almost like a refresh for six months to go and play football at a top level.”
Welsh has two years left on his contract but found Cameron Carter-Vickers, Auston Trusty, Liam Scales and Maik Nawrocki ahead of him in the pecking order before heading out in january.
